Oak sculpture unveiled in Kendal as part of the Environment Agency’s Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.
The VolkerStevin team delivering the Environment Agency’s Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS) has brought the local community together to unveil an oak sculpture to celebrate the history and heritage of Kendal and its river.
The Environment Agency commissioned the artwork, created from a tree destroyed by Storm Arwen, as part of the delivery of the FRMS, with the VolkerStevin team installing the sculpture and providing landscaping at Kendal Parish Church.
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 only six when he suggested it!
Cumbrian woodcarver James Mitchell hand carved the 10ft sculpture from the giant oak using traditional tools and techniques.
The design of the sculpture is inspired by the John Speed maps of the 17th century and shows the story of the traditions of Kendal, its culture and the wildlife – as well as what life was like in the 17th century and how Kendal was formed.
During the construction of the flood defences at the church, artefacts were discovered by archaeologists working as part of the Environment Agency scheme which unlocked more about the history of the town.
This is the second piece of artwork created as part of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme for the parish church.
