New Childe of Hale statue takes shape (From Runcorn and Widnes World)
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Hale's legendary giant brought back to life
8:10am Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Barbara Jordan
The old tree, carved by the sculptors Phil Bews and Geoff Wilson, deteriorated, became infested with woodworm and disease and had to be removed for safety reasons
THE legendary giant of Hale is being brought back to life.
John Middleton who was so tall, he had to sleep with his feet out of the window, is being commemorated with as a new statue in the village.
A bronze casting demonstration on techniques which will be used to craft the huge figure takes place at Hale Park Pavilion, at 11am, on Saturday, March 2.
Castle Fine Arts Foundry will show visitors the casting process used to create the colossal monument.
The statue is in the final states of completion in the foundry.
The new Childe Of Hale statue will be placed on a small grassed triangular section in front of the Manor House, near Withins Way.
John Middleton, who died in 1623, was said to be the same size as Biblical warrior Goliath and grew in fame as well as height when he beat the King's wrestler and won a cash prize.
The development is part of a £650,000 Big Lottery Grant , which has already funded improvements to the village park and promotion of the area’s local history.
In 1996, a dead beech tree in Hale was transformed into a Childe of Hale carving, which many residents and visitors came to love and accept as an iconic part of the local landscape.
The old tree, carved by the sculptors Phil Bews and Geoff Wilson, deteriorated, became infested with woodworm and disease and had to be removed for safety reasons last year Halton Council deputy leader and Hale Councillor, Clr Mike Wharton said: "Work will be completed on the sculture soon and will represent a fascinating addition to Hale’s heritage."
Planning permission has been granted by the council's development control for a new three metre statue in cast bronze.
The new design is a partnership between Halton Council and the Big Lottery Fund.
The design, by the same artists, was proposed after a consultation where villagers were shown different ideas and locations and were asked for their views.
The sculpture will be set in a small paved area of natural grey granite stone paving an area known locally as Parsonage Green.
John Middleton (1578–1623) was an English giant commonly known as the Childe of Hale.
