Kendal history celebrated by new wood sculpture at church

An oak sculpture has been installed alongside an information panel at Kendal Parish Church.

It was created from a tree destroyed by the Storm Arwen as part of the Environment Agency’s multi-million-pound Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.

The idea for the sculpture came from Rev. Sarah Jones and her son, Michael, who suggested fallen trees could be reused to benefit and enhance the town. 

Cumbrian woodcarver, James Mitchell, crafted the 10 foot sculpture.

Artist James Mitchell and Michael Jones (Image: The Environment Agency)

Michael, who proposed the idea when he was six, had the honour of unveiling the woodwork, now aged 10.

He 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."

During the construction of the flood defences at the church, artefacts were discovered which revealed more about the history of the town as archaeologists worked as part of the Environment Agency scheme.

It is the second piece of artwork created as part of the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme for the church.

Last year, at the Threads Through Time heritage event, celebrating the history and culture of the town, a wool wall hanging was created by a community group with artist Lana Grindley and gifted to the church.

Mr Mitchell said: "I was commissioned to carve a wooden sculpture for the Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme.

"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.

"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."