A sculpture show featuring the works of one of the UK's most exciting contemporary artists will launch the new Wymondham arts centre on April 19.Works by Wymondham-based Rachael Long are held in both private and public collections throughout England and Scotland.

A sculpture show featuring the works of one of the UK's most exciting contemporary artists will launch the new Wymondham arts centre on April 19.

Works by Wymondham-based Rachael Long are held in both private and public collections throughout England and Scotland.

She hails from an old Norfolk farming family, and her works are created through clever recycling of ancient and redundant farm machinery.

The town now has an arts centre thanks to the endeavours of the Wymondham Arts Forum who identified the 12th century Becket's Chapel as the perfect site. The listed building was previously the home of the town's public library which relocated to more spacious purpose-built premises in November 2008.

The chapel is owned by Wymondham Old Grammar School Trustees who have drawn up a short term lease for the arts forum. This will enable a series of arts activities to take place in the historic building from April until October this year.

John Wood, Wymondham Arts Forum chairman said: 'We are really excited about the prospect of using Becket's Chapel for a summer season. It will raise the profile of the arts in town, and give us the opportunity to evaluate the building's potential before we decide whether we can consider longer-term arrangements.'

The forum's primary aim is to ensure that the building should provide a showcase for a wide range of contemporary art and craft work by local artists, and craftspeople based in South Norfolk and the wider area. The venue will also be used as a performance space and for other arts and community events.

Wymondham Arts Forum will be staging its spring meeting at Becket's Chapel from 7.15pm on Monday April 20. The guest speaker will be Alison McFarlane, executive director and head of visual arts at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.