EXMOOR PROVIDES ‘THE BIGGEST BEAK IN BRIDGWATER’
A phoenix carved out of a solid piece of Exmoor oak, weighing around 2 tons, will be lifted by crane over the rail of the ReCreation Centre on the Hamp Estate in Bridgwater on Wednesday 25 October 2006
The sculpture, carved out of oak from Horner Woods, was made by chainsaw sculptor Paul lles from Exmoor National Park Authority’s field services team, in his own time. Youngsters from the ReCreation Centre will be camping at Hawkcombe, Somerset on Tuesday night as part of the Heritage Ambassadors Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, a partnership between Exmoor National Park Authority, Quantocks AONB, Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Field Studies Council at Nettlecombe Court aimed at young people (13-20) who do not normally have the opportunity to explore and enjoy the rich natural habitat on their doorstep. On Wednesday 25 October the youngsters will be following the phoenix in convoy back to its final resting place on a small piece of land in front of their Centre in Bridgwater.
Heritage Ambassador Simon Hewett-Avison said: “The phoenix was chosen to be the emblem of the Centre and the staff and youngsters wanted an eye catching sculpture to promote their Centre. The Exmoor phoenix will certainly be that and we are looking forward to its arrival.”
