A sculpture has been unveiled in Kendal to celebrate the past, present and future of the town.
An ancient oak tree on the banks of the River Kent, destroyed by Storm Arwen is now telling the story of Kendal at Holy Trinity. It is part of the Environment Agency’s multi-million-pound Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.
The inspiration for the wooden sculpture came from the Rev Sarah Jones and her son, Michael, who suggested the fallen trees could be reused to benefit and enhance the town. Michael was six when he suggested it.
Cumbrian woodcarver James Mitchell created the 10ft sculpture made from the giant oak.
Michael, now 10, said: “I was so upset when Tom from the Environment Agency told us that the trees had to be cut down as part of the flood defence work for the town. I thought that if they had to be cut down, they should have a new life, and the wood be used to make something for everyone to use and enjoy. To see the oak tree become this sculpture is fantastic.”
Michael helped to officially unveil the sculpture, with his mum and the vicar of Kendal Parish Church, the Rev Canon Shanthi Thompson.
James said: “When this large oak tree came down in Storm Arwen in the Upper Kent Valley near Docker, it was the perfect piece of wood to make this piece from.
“The reason I chose this particular tree is it’s an oak, which makes it extremely durable and will last a very long time – and because of the age and size of the tree, we have been able to get a really big sculpture made from it, which will sit down by the River Kent, by the Parish Church in Kendal.
“The design of the sculpture is inspired by the John Speed maps of the 17th century. I have carved the map of Kendal as it was at this time, with the castle, a few buildings, and the church.
“Further up, we’ve got the rest of the Kentmere Valley. At the top of the sculpture, I have carved the coat of arms of Kendal and above that the Kentmere hills, just overlooking the whole of the piece.”
The sculpture is also about the culture and wildlife of the area.
James added: “It shows the story of the traditions of Kendal and the wildlife – as well as what life was like in the 17th century and how Kendal was formed.
“I’ve included Kendal’s town motto, pannus mihi panis which means wool is our bread. The piece tells quite a good story of Kendal as it once was.”
During the construction of the flood defences at the church, artefacts were discovered which unlocked more about the history of the town by archaeologists working as part of the Environment Agency scheme.
This is the second piece of artwork created as part of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme for the parish church.
Last year, at the Threads Through Time heritage event, celebrating the history and culture of the town, a wall handing. The wool wall hanging was created by a community group with artist Lana Grindley was gifted to the church.
The Environment Agency commissioned the artwork as part of the delivery of the Flood Risk Management Scheme to celebrate the history and heritage of Kendal and its river. The work is part of the Government’s investment of more than £76 million to better protect 1,400 homes and 1,100 businesses from flooding in Kendal and across the Kent catchment.
