Work starts to move 'stump' statue to new location

Work has started to relocate a 35-year-old sculpture to its permanent new location in a Nottinghamshire town centre.

The 9ft 2ins (2.79m) Water Head - depicting a tree trunk - is being moved to a planter between Beeston Centre tram stop and the Arc Cinema from its previous position in The Square.

Broxtowe Borough Council, which is responsible for the statue, said the move was part of renovation work to allow more space for market stalls and events within Beeston Square, reflecting a growing need.

The work, which has been funded by the government, is expected to be completed by Friday.

The white marble artwork, known locally as 'the stump', was designed by artist Paul Mason.

The Beeston and District Civic Society said it was once a water feature but was turned off in the 1990s.

A public consultation to find a new location for the art piece was held by the society in August, and approved by the council's planning committee the following month.

The authority said contractors started work on the statue's reallocation and the stump is expected to be lifted in the coming days.

"The relocation will allow more room to be used on Beeston Square for events such as our upcoming Christmas light switch on and more, allowing more room for people to use the space," it added.

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