AT FRENSHAM’S Hollowdene recreation ground, woodland creatures have begun popping up in the form of wood carvings.

In May 2020, a large limb from a horse chestnut on the south border of the Hollowdene recreation ground fell.

Frensham Parish Council’s tree surgeon stated the tree would not regenerate so the council decided the tree should be removed.

Councillor Malc Billings saw an opportunity to re-purpose the tree and arranged for it to be felled to a height of nearly three meters.

He then presented his idea for a carving to be made to the existing trunk to the council and, with its full support, it was agreed that an owl carving should be undertaken.

And so, in July 2021, a barn owl, of nearly three metres, was carved into the remains of the horse chestnut tree.

Additionally, should this be successful, Cllr Billings suggested another carving could be erected onto a previously damaged bough of the blue cedar in the Hollowdene recreation ground playground.

This January, his idea again became a reality when a red squirrel carving was placed upon a plinth of the blue cedar.

The new park features have attracted visitors from near and far, as they spruce up the park – while a post on the parish council Facebook page showing the carvings has been viewed by more than 1,000 people.

Cllr Billings was supported in his endeavours by Surrey county councillor David Harmer, who used a grant from his member’s allocation funding for the project.

The woodland creatures were created by ‘Man and his Dog Carvings’, who specialise in bespoke wood carvings.

Their services are in high demand, and with long waiting lists the parish council had expected the owl – not to mention the red squirrel – not to be carved until 2022.

But thanks to a late cancellation the owl carving was completed a year ahead of schedule, followed by the squirrel in the new year.

The horse chestnut required removal because of disease, but in preserving nearly three metres of the trunk the owl carving was able to be produced.

More recently, serious decay has been identified in the roots of a mature sycamore tree close to the recreation ground.

Another carving was considered, but the council was advised that the severity of the decay would prohibit a safe carving being produced, and it was felled in January.

Another of Hollowdene recreation ground’s most mature and well-loved trees, a sweet chestnut measuring 21 metres in height, also had to be felled last week after suffering damage in Storm Eunice.

The parish council has, however, teased that it is keen to celebrate the life of this sweet chestnut, and to “look out for something in the near future”.