Hare cut to turn heads

By Richard Wright

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Wood sculptor Paul Sivell created this carving of a hare and pair of magpies from the stump of a leylandii that blew over at Arreton Cross. Picture by Jennifer Burton.

PEOPLE are hoping it will not be a case of hare today, gone tomorrow for a new woodcarving.

The stump of a leylandii that blew over at Arreton Cross has been transformed into a hare and a pair of magpies by chainsaw artist Paul Sivell.

Arreton Parish Council and the Island 2000 Trust paid the £400 to create the carving, which has turned motorists’ heads since it was finished a few days ago.

Island 2000 Trust director Ian Boyd said: “Paul has done a fantastic job. I can’t believe he has managed to get so much out of so little material.

“The sculpture is part of work to improve the area. It will include removing brambles to encourage interesting flora and relocating surviving planting that hasn’t worked.

“We are just hoping the sculpture is left for everyone to enjoy because other projects have suffered from theft and vandalism.”