Creative children breathe new life into old oak tree

Pupils at Peover Superior Primary School were invited to come up with ideas to decorate the seven-foot stump left on the parish field.

Professional chainsaw wood sculptor Andy Burgess has turned their designs into imaginative carvings.

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Kathy Doyle, a former member of Peover Superior Parish Council, led the project, which started two years ago.

She said: “The tree had to be cut down because it was rotten.

“Someone suggested that the trunk could be carved.

“We thought it would be nice to have children’s ideas.

“We approached the school. They devised a competition and the drawings of one pupil stood out.”

Harrison Burke came up with three themes, sport, friendship and learning.

A cricket bat and football have been carved into the tree to represent sport (Image: Andy Burgess)

The boy, who was eight at the time, drew pictures of a cricket bat and ball, hands clasped together and books.

Andy interpreted friendship by carving hands giving a hug (Image: Andy Burgess)

“It brings together all the things that are important for the village,” said Kathy.

“Sports and activities on the field, the friendship everyone has for one another and learning from the school.

Books on a shelf represent learning (Image: Andy Burgess)

“Andy has done an absolutely amazing job. I couldn’t believe how he did it all freehand. He was so calm and confident.

“He has interpreted the designs very empathetically and far exceeded my best expectations.”

Harrison suggested learning as one of the themes (Image: Angela Burke)

The parish council gave the school £50 worth of books to thank children for their efforts and funded the carving.

Gifted Andy transforms windblown, diseased and fallen trees into works of art.

Chainsaw wood sculptor Andy Burgess (Image: Andy Burgess)

The self-taught craftsman spent two days carving the designs.

A safety cordon was set up round the tree whilst he worked.

The head of an ass, the Over Peover logo was also incorporated into the carvings (Image: Andy Burgess)

With painstaking precision, Andy turned Harrison’s ideas into stunning sculptures.

“You only get one chance, there is no room for error,” said the 48-year-old from Mobberley.

“I didn’t want to do each thing quickly or it would have been rustic and crude.

“I spaced them out and made them a good size so kids can walk round the tree and investigate the designs.”

Children can walk around the tree and see all the different carvings (Image: Andy Burgess)

People walking their dogs were fascinated watching him at work.

“The quality of the trunk was very good, a lovely piece of oak,” he said.

“This should last 50 years or more.

Harrison was thrilled to see his drawings turned into carvings (Image: Angela Burke)

“It’s always nice to do something bespoke.”

Children were thrilled to see the finished designs on a class visit.

Teacher Lottie Downing, who co-ordinated the competition, said: “Harrison did an absolutely brilliant job, encompassing ideas from the whole class.

“Children could see elements of their designs on the tree.

“I don’t think they realise the enormity of it yet but in years to come they can say they were part of the design process.

“With Peover being so small, it is always nice to contribute where we can.

“The rest of the village give so much to the school, it’s good to give something back.”