Information on Loughborough

Watch wooden sculpting in action at Beacon Hill Country Park

Posted on 31/01/2012

Leicestershire Councty Council Adults & Communities

31 January 2012

Watch wooden sculpting in action at Beacon Hill Country Park

Visitors to one of Leicestershire’s flagship country parks will be able to watch as a professional sculptor uses a chainsaw to create wooden sculptures right before their eyes!

Nottingham based sculptor Peter Leadbeater is working with Leicestershire County Council to make a number of different sculptures that will be permanently displayed at Beacon Hill Country Park in Charnwood Forest for visitors to enjoy. They will be themed around the park’s extraordinary environment and wildlife.

So far, Peter has created sculptures based on the park’s history, geology and archaeology; and a representation of seeds and leaves.

In November, Beacon Hill visitors were urged to come forward with their stories of local myths and legends that could be used to create his third wooden sculpture.

The most popular local legend to be suggested was dated around the year 1300 and involved Lady Agnes Comyn and the Hermit of Holywell. The hermit is said to have revived Agnes when she fainted whilst trying to escape Lord Comryn’s men chasing her through Beacon Hill and the Outwoods . The two metre tall carving will comprise all aspects of the legend, including the oak tree Agnes is said to have rested in.

Together with the Lady Agnes piece, Peter will create other carvings. These will be two oak benches incorporating some of the plants special to Beacon Hill such as Marsh Violets and Lemon Scented Ferns.

Peter will be carving all three sculptures at Beacon Hill every Wednesday in February (except 22nd) from 11am till 3.30pm. Members of the public are invited to come along to the country park (Lower Car Park LE12 8TA) and watch as over time, each piece takes shape and is carved into its unique style.

He said: "I feel very lucky to be able to, once again, draw inspiration for my work from such a diverse, interesting and stunning location and I am looking forward to continuing making a contribution to the park."

It is anticipated that all of Peter’s completed sculptures will be placed within Beacon Hill this spring for visitors to enjoy.

For regular updates on all Peter’s sculptures, see our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/beaconhillcountrypark

For more information on Beacon Hill see www.leics.gov.uk/beacon

For more information on Peter Leadbeater see www.peterleadbeater.com

Photo opportunity

Photographers are invited to take photos of the wooden sculpting taking place from 11am – 3.30pm any Wednesday in February (except 22nd) at the Lower Car Park at Beacon Hill Country Park.