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Wood carver and sculptor, Peter Martin, spent many weeks up a 30-ft tree at Penzance, Cornwall rescuing this giant ‘Macro Carpo’ from the chain saw. He has now completed his commission from Penwith Housing Association (PHA) and Penzance Town Council to turn the splendid but fading beauty outside PHA’s St Clare flats, opposite the town hospital, into a local artistic landmark with carvings of animals and flowers …… with a Green Man woodland theme.
There were fears it might have to be cut down because of its age and condition as well as to prevent damage to passers-by – and blocked gutters from falling branches and leaves.
John Moreland, landscape architect, set the idea under way after learning of Peter’s talents. “It is a part of Penzance which has a constant traffic of children going to and from school. The thought was to have something that would interest and entertain them on their way.
Peter, from Redruth, has built up a national reputation with his work. He agreed to help. “I wanted something that would capture the imagination of the children and be of interest to everyone who walked past. It was a little daunting working at such a public place at first – but the people have been brilliant. Many have taken the trouble to say how much they enjoyed the work”. He kept carving away on the scaffolding with the tree surrounded by a green screen. People returned time and again to check on progress and mothers brought their children back to see what new animals had ‘appeared’.
Andy Moore, Chief Executive of Penwith Housing Association was complimentary about the result. “We are very pleased that something positive has resulted from the sad, but necessary, decision to tackle the tree. Peter has done a tremendous job which has attracted much praise and is rapidly becoming a local landmark.
There is plenty of enthusiasm. Simon Glasson, the Town Clerk, remarked “I am hoping that local schools and colleges will be able to have a guided tour of the carving by Peter – and a demonstration of the techniques that he used”.
The sculptured tree was officially ‘unveiled’ by Town Mayor, Roy Mann.
