In this part of the world we are very fond of going round in circles.

Roundabouts were introduced at some intersections to ease the flow of traffic from all the exits.

A roundabout is a circular one way street where traffic is slowed down and enters a one-way stream around a central island. The direction of travel is clockwise here in the UK and Ireland where we drive on the left hand side of the road. So as we approach a roundabout, we are really at the end of a “T” junction, wanting to turn left, because that is the direction of the one way street. We only have to give way to the traffic flow from the right. In other countries where traffic travels on the right, the roundabout traffic goes in an anti-clockwise direction.

Over the years I have noticed that some Borough Councils here have decorated the roundabouts in some way, usually with flowers and shrubbery in season. More recently sculpture of some form has been introduced.

I had reason to use the A57 a few weeks ago and noticed a new sculpture at Lindsay’s Corner Roundabout. Having made some enquiries I discovered that the Seedhead Sculpture has been designed by Stephen Todd, to reflect the historical importance of linen production in the area.

Each up stand is designed to capture the abstract look of a flax field mixed with some wildflowers. Produced locally by McKnight Engineering the Seedheads combine contemporary European landscape design ideas, wild natural looking grasses and formal plant groupings the scheme changes dramatically with each passing season.

Now I must charge the batteries and go in search of a few more circles.

The roundabouts are usually sponsored by some local industry.