8.02The Troll Bridge
This is the most elegant little footbridge I have ever seen, made with love, craftmanship and whimsy.
It is strong, useful, beautiful, and a delight to use, and Charlie and the other people who worked on its construction should be very proud of it.
The bridge was part of a sculpture building project held in early 2002 for two weeks. This project involved many people including the Walcha Arts Council, members from State Forests, NPWS and the Walcha Council, Fenning Timbers, and of course the artists who were both local and from interstate.
First of all a tree was selected which had a natural curvature, then it was cut down the middle vertically, preserving the curve.
Then more planks were cut for the walkway and the cross pieces, everything was bolted together, then the pattern you see here was carved, after the artist Steven King carved the lines with a chainsaw. Charlie helped with the making of the bridge, and did much of the chisel carving of it.
If you look carefully you will see the troll's hands trying to pull himself up on the bridge to waylay unsuspecting travellers, just below Charlie's boots. It looks as though the bridge is all of one piece of wood until you carefully examine it.
A masterwork.
Charlie Winter is the hard working and talented Tourism Officer in the Walcha District. His skills of organisation, diplomacy and publicity make him an invaluable member of the team.
It doesn't hurt that he is also a brilliant navigator on these walks!
