Talented local artist Ed Pilkington has created another fantastic wooden carving for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
Following the buzzard, which he carved from a sycamore stump on Alderley Road in March, Ed has created a woodpecker from an oak tree which was hanging at a precarious angle across a path. This latest sculpture is located at the entrance to Lindow Common, by the car park.
The father of four spent about three hours on Monday, 3rd August, carving the sculpture which has been funded by a personal donation from a local resident.
Ruth McNulty explained "The Rangers had been asking for a sponsor for additional sculptures for sites as and when they became available and I was only too pleased to fund the cost of another piece to add to those already in and around the town.
"I had been privileged to be a member of the Lindow Common Advisory Group and therefore knew that this was an opportunity to shape this stump into a living memorial.
"I had somewhat tongue in cheek attempted to persuade the Group into an agreement for the carving of a vulture but I am sure they were wise to suggest that a woodpecker was more suitable for the shape of the stump and the welcome it would offer to this extraordinary heathland to which we are all so privileged to have access."
A plaque will be added in due course as the sculpture is in memory of Ruth's husband Alan, who sadly passed away last year.
Ed, who is a Ranger at Cheshire East Council, has been carving since 1999 and has created up to a thousand different sculptures since then - including a squirrel at Alderley Edge Community Primary School, the hares at Hare Hill and a horse in Alderley Edge Park.
Ruth McNulty added "Before that, the latest gift to Lindow Common was the bird raft which was planted in March. The raft will give a secure home to nesting birds away from other predators on the Common and is best viewed from the north west aspect of Black Lake."
Photo courtesy of Steve Dewe.
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