We’d like to welcome new contributor, James Pickett, onto the VentnorBlog team. James lives in Arreton and is passionate about the Island. He’s agreed to share his experiences of life on the Wight with our readers. Ed
If you take the Sandown Road from Newport, and pay attention as you approach the turn-off to the Hare and Hounds, there is a new character on the opposite verge, where there used to be a fallen tree.
The tree, a Macrocarpa, had to be tidied up, but the stump was left while its fate was decided.
Happily, rather than remove it, Ian Boyd from the Island 2000 Trust proposed a carving (the cost was much the same) and approached Paul Sivell, the chainsaw sculptor, who suggested a leaping hare, now labelled the Arreton Hare.
I think he looks more like a moon-gazing hare, a creature with a mystical past and associated with growth and good fortune, but either way, he is a fine animal and it is a pleasure to have him close to my own front door.
The magpies are a delightful addition, and those of you who are old enough to remember the ITV children’s programme of the same name will doubtless remember the rhyme, ‘One for sorrow, two for joy’ so I hope they never get separated.
A bouquet, too, for the Parish Council, who stumped up (pun intended) some of the money. Nice when that happens.
Take a look at Paul Sivell’s Website, he does some amazing stuff.
Read other references about Paul Sivell on VB
