‘Striking’ 10ft golden hand sculpture in this Nottinghamshire park is still creating intrigue 20 years on

'If you look at the comments we get on Tripadvisor, people do mention it'

A huge sculpture of a golden hand in a Nottinghamshire park is still creating curiosity amongst residents and council workers.

The 10ft Golden Hand statue in Vicar Water Country Park, Clipstone, was commissioned around 20 years ago by national cycling group Sustrans as a feature of their National Cycle Network.

Despite it’s ‘striking’ appearance, the exact reason this design was chosen by the artists - a now non-existent London-based collective called ‘BANK’ - remains largely unclear.

Some have commented that the hand rising from the ground with the Clipstone headstocks in view just behind is a nod to the village’s mining heritage.

Nottinghamshire Live set out to find out some more information about the feature in the park.

Phil Beard, who manages the park with Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: "It was installed as part of the cycling route that was laid at the time and funded by Sustrans.

"Because BANK aren't around anymore, it's hard to ask them why it was created the way it was.

"I think the idea was to do something striking and attract attention - which it certainly does - and less to do with the local mining history.

"People find it a striking feature of the park and it's interesting if you look at the comments we get on TripAdvisor. People do mention it and wonder why it's there and post pictures online.

"It's done it's job as a public piece of art, that's for sure."

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A local councillor thinks the sculpture has been installed as a way of reflecting on Clipstone colliery’s bygone history.

Paul Peacock, who is councillor at Newark and Sherwood District Council, where the park is located, said: “Vicar Water Country Park is a real hidden gem, located just off Mansfield Road in Clipstone.

“It is great that we can acknowledge our mining heritage with this sculpture. I always view the golden hand as a coal miner reaching up out of the pit.

“It’s a great piece of artwork and we are very proud that people can enjoy the park and view the sculpture free of charge.

“At the park you can venture onto the heathland formed from the former colliery spoil heap and enjoy spectacular views across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Definitely worth a visit.”

Vicar Water Country Park is a Green Flag awarded park with a pond in it's centre called Vicar Pond, a large fishing lake that was created by the 5th Duke of Portland in the 1870s.

In the past the lake has been used for boating and swimming but today the park serves as a nature reserve with the fishery at its centre.

Councillor Roger Jackson, chairman of the district council’s leisure and environment committee, said: “We are proud to have the ‘golden hand’ sculpture at Vicar Water Country Park and understand it is a favourite feature of the park, which members of the public often comment on when visiting.

“Representing the village’s mining heritage, the 10 foot sculpture was specially commissioned for the Sustrans National Cycle Route, in this case Route 6.”

Nottinghamshire Live has attempted to approach BANK and Clipstone Parish Council for more information on the unique sculpture in Vicar Water Country Park.