This morning, my son and I visited Hocombe Mead to check on the vandalised carved oak tree.
On Streetlife.com, I learned that some vandals had set fire to the tree stump containing the beautifully carved owl in our local beautiful nature reserve.
In spring, my son and I took part in the Easter walk at Hocombe Mead, organised by the Friends of Hocombe Mead. I took a photo of the carved owl then:
This morning, we saw a badly burnt and charred owl.
The police are now looking for those responsible. Here is a note next to the burnt owl at the scorched area in Hocombe Mead.
“The police are very interested in finding those responsible for this criminal damage. If you have any information that may help, please phone 101 giving the crime reference number 44140304170 or phone / email.”
David Payne – Countryside Officer
Email: david.payne@eastleigh.gov.uk
Telephone: 023 8068 3796
Hocombe Mead: Oak tree carving by Paul Sivell
In 2012, an oak tree growing on the bank in Hocombe Mead was blown down during stormy weather. The top branches were removed from the site, but the large trunk of the 180-year-old oak tree remained.
Wood sculptor Paul Sivell from the Isle of Wight, of The Carved Tree website, was commissioned by Eastleigh Borough Council to carve the tree using themes associated with the plants and animals of Hocombe Mead.
If you would like to see more photos of Paul Sivell’s carving of the oak tree at Hocombe Mead, here is the photo gallery.
On one side of the trunk, Paul Sivell carved butterflies (Orange Tip, White Admiral and Comma), dragonfly and plants such as hard fern.
On the other side of the trunk, there are carved roe deer, rabbits, squirrels and woodpecker.
In Chandler’s Ford, Paul Sivell is also known for his another piece of art at The Arch, the permanent home of Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre (CPYT) on Station Lane.
About Hocombe Mead:
Hocombe Mead is a local nature reserve owned and managed by Eastleigh Borough Council with support from the Friends of Hocombe Mead.
Hocombe Mead is an area of historic woodland and meadow, situated between Ashdown Road and Hocombe Road, under the ownership of Eastleigh Borough Council, South Hampshire. This varied site comprises an area of 8.33 hectares, which includes mixed woodland and ancient meadows, with small areas of valley bog and remnants of heathland.
From the website of Hocombe Mead
Note: Daily Echo also carried the news: ‘Mindless stupidity’ of owl sculpture vandalism
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[…] force of the wind on leaves and branches of a fully mature oak tree must be considerable. Think of how the wind on a few sails will drive a sailing ship of many tons […]