Sculptured Bench Commissioned

ADORNED in hand-carved depictions of wildlife, including a badger, otter, heron and salmon, an oak tree gifted by a resident of Riding Mill has been transformed into a decorative seat which was built to commemorate the completion of the community housing scheme.

Weighing in excess of two tonnes, the seat provides a resting place on a footpath near the Stocksfield Burn, which runs past six of seven homes built in a partnership between SCATA and Karbon Homes (then known as Isos Housing). 

Stonehaugh-based sculptor Luca Serra spent three months analysing drawings and models created by Year Four children from Broomley First School before bringing them to life on the bench.

Luca’s dedication to the project was documented by 15-year-old Quetta McNeill, from Hexham, daughter of SCATA‘s social enterprise advisor, Anne Lawson.

A video capturing key moments in the process, shot and edited by the talented teenager, has already by viewed dozens of times on You Tube.

The soundtrack is original music provided by the Stocksfield Stompers.