Forest sculpture removed after 29 years

A popular sculpture has been removed from a forest after 29 years due to wood rot.

The Green Man, made of logs depicting a face, was created by local artist Phil Townsend and has been in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham, since 1996.

However, the field where it has stood was prone to becoming waterlogged and the sculpture slowly deteriorated.

Laura Hull, visitor experience manager for Forestry England, said its removal on 10 January was "emotive" and she was moved by the number of people reminiscing about it on social media.

"They were all just reminiscing about taking their children, measuring their children up against the sculpture and coming back time and time again," Ms Hull said.

"A lot of that was lovely to read through and just to know that it's been popular and people have enjoyed it."

She said she hoped some of the sections of the sculpture would go on display in one of the forest's classrooms.

The sculpture comprised of six wooden columns about four feet deep (1.2m) into the ground.

"They just rotted over time, which I guess is what happens with natural materials," Ms Hull said.

"It's a natural process and, unfortunately, even art sculptures have a life cycle - 29 years is pretty good for an art piece."

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