Launch of Pegasus
Launch of Pegasus
Click Image to Enlarge
Horsell Common’s gift to Woking, Pegasus, one of the most uplifting sights in the town, sculpted from a magnificent 250-year old Oak, (irretrievably damaged by a Tornado in November 2007), has been completed on Broomhall Common, opposite the Brewery Road car park.
The Horsell Common Preservation Society (HCPS) commissioned the stunning new tree sculpture named after the winged horse in Greek mythology that was the offspring of Medusa, sired by Poseidon.
Launch of Pegasus
Trustee-Directors chose the design from a short list of three that was presented by the famous wood sculptor, Captain Chainsaw, who is the founder of AD-Tree Pirates from Somerset. AD and his team spent a day watching Lipizzaner Stallions so that they could make Pegasus accurately strike the most dramatic pose. The Tree Pirates worked on the project for approximately 2 weeks, before handing over the commission to HCPS at a special ceremony to mark the completion of the project. The Chairman of Horsell Common Preservation Society, David Robbins said, “I was amazed at the joy and excitement which Pegasus engendered in all the members of the public who I spoke to as they passed by. We later discovered that Horsell was named ‘Horse Hill’ on 18th C maps, and so the design seems now to be very appropriate.”
HCPS, Head of Public Relations, Penny Mare, said, “The trustees have been planning to do something special with the tree for quite some time; it was just a matter of finding the right project and the right artist”. Mrs Mare went on to say, “This is a very special feature of the Common, made from natural resources. It is a gift to the community of Woking from the members of the Horsell Common Preservation Society. The sculpture has been entirely funded by HCPS from its own resources, and is expected to last for many years, probably decades”.
HCPS Estate Manager, Paul Rimmer, who is overseeing the project, said, “We are delighted to have had the Tree Pirates working for us on this ambitious creation. We have received many messages of support from members of the Society and from local residents. We have also been greatly encouraged by passers by, who frequently stop to talk and see how we are progressing. One passing driver turned out to be an ex-paratrooper, whose Regimental Insignia is Pegasus. He was so moved to see the sculpture that he drove home and then returned with his beret and badge and asked for it to be included in some way within the sculpture; so now it is placed under the horse’s head.”.
A gallery of photos may be found here. You are welcome to download and use them for your own private purpose or for promoting the good works of the Horsell Common Preservation Society.
What’s everyone saying about the project?
Photo credits: Hello-Photo.co.uk
