Burton Barrel Roll needs your help to celebrate Brewing Capital of the World

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 2 February 2024

Businesses are being urged to get behind a project to bring a permanent art sculpture to a Staffordshire town recognising its longstanding connections with the brewing industry.

The Burton Barrel Roll is a 10-week art trail being held in and around Burton town centre this summer.

Designed by art trail specialists, Making Trails, to increase footfall and boost tourism in the area it aims to celebrate the Brewing Capital of the World - Burton, and highlight the lesser-known tradition of barrel rolling.

Supported by the East Staffordshire Borough Council Ward Enhancement Fund the project is now looking for businesses to sponsor one of the 12 3D fibreglass barrel art sculptures which will be installed around the town and later sold at auction to raise funds for a dedicated art piece in the town.

Tilley Bancroft, founder of Making Trails, said the project was only possible with the help of local businesses, schools and the wider community in showing their support in celebrating the town’s rich heritage.

She said:

“What makes Making Trails art projects different is that they are a celebration of the whole community.

“They help to bring people together and showcase an area to boost tourism and local businesses by encouraging residents and visitors to explore the local area.

“We are really excited about this year’s Burton Barrel Roll as it is the first time we are looking to create a dedicated art sculpture which will celebrate the town and become a permanent reminder of the event.

“I hope that the town’s businesses and community will get behind us in any way they can whether that is sharing stories and images of life as a cooper in the town and the traditional barrel rolls, looking at sponsoring a sculpture or encouraging community groups to show their support.”

Making Trails will be holding an event at the Brewhouse Arts Centre, in Union Street, on Monday 12th February for businesses to find out more about how they can get involved.

This will be the third art trail for Burton celebrating unique aspects of the town’s heritage.  Last year saw 30 carousel horses attract more than 20,000 extra visitors in a nod to the town’s connections to world renowned fairground ride creators Orton and Spooner.

Feedback from visitors to the previous trails showed that the trail encouraged visitors to spend more time and money in the town with people choosing to eat or drink at local cafes, buy souvenirs and shop.

This year the trail will be made up of 12 fibreglass 3D barrel sculptures hand decorated by local artists. An interactive app will be created that will work alongside the artwork to provide additional information about the town, sculptures, business sponsors and artists behind the designs.

Laura Denver, Sales Director at office recycling firm ORS, who were one of the sponsors from Burton’s 2022 trail, said:

“Having been based in the town for 20 years ORS is very passionate about its long-standing connections with the area. We have seen the difference the art trails have made over the past few years and are really excited for this year’s Burton Barrel Roll.

“There is always such a buzz in the town, and it helps to bring together the whole community.”

Burton On Trent has a long history with the brewing industry and is often known as the Brewing Capital of the World.

The town even has its name linked to a well-known brewing system – the Burton Union System – which was a fermentation process widely used in the mid-to-late 19th century.

Burton coopers were responsible for manufacturing the barrels by hand and refurbishing those returned to the brewery.

With such a huge connection to the brewing industry barrel rolling competitions were at one time held in the town as a community event and involved individuals pushing large brewing barrels across an agreed route.

Businesses will be able to find out more about the project and how they can support the art trail at the Burton Barrel Roll Business Event on Monday 12th February at the Brewhouse Arts Centre, in Union Street, Burton.

The finished art trail will run between July and September for 10 weeks. Artists are currently being encouraged to submit their designs for the trail with 12 being chosen later in the year to feature on the 3D sculptures.

More information on the project and how you can get involved is available at www.makingtrails.co.uk/burtonbarrelroll

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