Clayton Tree Carving

[Fra]

Hi all. Just thought this might be a good place to provide information and photos about the recent tree carving in The Woodlands opposite the Sparth Manor Hotel.

A few pics to start (I've got many!)

[Fra]

A copy of my email to Accrington Observer for ease of explanation:

Hi Jon,

Here's some pictures as promised from our great event. I've got lots more so if you want anything specific just let me know. It turned out to be a really interesting project with a lot of interest from the public. There must have been several hundred heads turning on Whalley road when it was being done over the course of Saturday and Sunday. We will be going back to do some inscriptions below the sculpture on Wednesday so you are welcome to attend then if you want.

The project was organised by myself Sean Kerr (chairman) and the Hyndburn Tree Warden group. The idea came about in a meeting when we saw that United Utilities were giving grants of up to £1000 towards community projects in the Hyndburn area, which was to give something back to the community following the inconvenience caused by major roadworks. We decided that this could be used to create a carving in The Woodlands, which is part of Clayton Forest Park, where there are other tree carvings but none in a very conspicuous location. After a site visit we decided that a standing Beech stump opposite the Sparth Manor Hotel entrance, would be the best place to do this. The Woodlands was previously awarded first place in the Community Woodland category of the Royal Forestry Society's Excellence in Forestry Awards 2013 and also acheived a silver award in the 'Best of England Excellence in Forestry Awards' again run by the Royal Forestry Society. Clayton Prospects panel deserve much credit for this.

Originally we were just going to carve an eagle then a work colleague said "why don't you do a Hen Harrier?". I thought that was a great idea and locally significant due to it being the symbol of the Forest of Bowland and there is the famous running group called the Clayton Harriers.

I couldn't have found a more suitable carver than Rick Goodwin either. He's very talented, good to work with and very modest. He definitely went the extra mile to make this sculpture stand out and the level of detail he has gone into makes your jaw drop!

The whole process of organising this event has been a challenging one but well worthwhile when you hear really positive comments from the public and see parents bring their families over to see it. Once the scaffolding comes down this will remain a lasting feature of The Woodlands and an iconic landmark for the area, especially given the significance of the Hen Harrier in Lancashire.

Please give credit to United Utilities for the Community Grant and to Ascent Scaffolding, who kindly donated the scaffold and netting to give something back to their local community.

Give me a call anytime today

[Wynonie Harris]

Very nice, mate, but I think you're in the wrong part of the forum.

[choirboy]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

Very nice, mate, but I think you're in the wrong part of the forum.

Nice carving though eh Wynonie!
Stanley have a "Carver" too. Perhaps our 'Carver' could be the target man up front with that much needed 'Hawk'eye for goal that we seem to be missing at the moment.

[Fra]

Whoops! Can some admin put this in general chat or something please?

[Margaret Pilkington]

Lovely carving. Great pictures too.

[Fra]

In the observer now online

[thebailif]

Great carving,well done all involved

[Restless]

fanastic.thanks for sharing

[Shurm]

Thats really impressive well done.

[cashman]

Well smart.

[AccyMad]

Saw this 'in the flesh' so to speak on the way through Clayton yesterday, it's beautiful - really catches your eye when stuck on the Whalley Road car park, made me smile anyway