Artist carves new role for a felled tree

BACK to nature . . . Barclays Bank worker Anoly Ewington hangs a feeder on the carved tree at Dovestone Reservoir

AN act of vandalism has been transformed into a thing of beauty at Dovestone Reservoir.

Local artist Richard Dawson, who is based at Wood End Artist Studio in Mossley, turned a tree recently felled by vandals into a natural bird feeding station complete with a hand-carved woodpecker.

Volunteers from the RSPB/United Utilities partnership at Dovestone helped to haul the 12ft statue into position close to where the tree originally stood.

Helping out on the day were a team of volunteers from local Barclays banks, who left their desks behind to make bird-feeders to hang from the feeding station.

Rachel Downham, RSPB community engagement officer, said: “We are delighted the team from Barclays Bank stepped up to help us turn this unpleasant incident into a real joy for visitors to Dovestone.

“The carving of a woodpecker on this tree is the perfect choice, as the unmistakable drumming of these birds is a sound common to Dovestone.

“Great spotted woodpeckers are regularly seen round here and visitors might also be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a green woodpecker.”

Linzi Simm, from Barclays Communities, Sports and Social Team, said: “Barclay’s staff are determined to have a positive impact on the environment at Dovestone.

“Although this tree was vandalised, we can make it a really visible statement of our intent, while working to help nurture local wildlife.”

Feeding birds at Binn Green has been a real success, particularly through the hard winter. Large groups of siskins, bramblings and redpolls as well as goldfinches, long-tailed tits, treecreepers and nuthatches can all be seen feeding from seed mix, fatballs and peanuts.

Dovestone Reservoir is owned by United Utilities and the water company works in partnership with the RSPB, which manages the estate.

The partnership aims at encouraging public access and recreation, while protecting water quality and wildlife for future generations.