Alice in Wonderland tree sculpture to be removed - The Rugby Observer

Alice in Wonderland tree sculpture to be removed

Rugby Editorial 26th Aug, 2016 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

A MONUMENT to one of Rugby School’s most famous former pupils is to disappear Cheshire-cat-style for safety reasons.

The popular Alice in Wonderland tree sculpture at Whinfield Recreation Ground will be removed in the coming weeks due to large cracks at the base of the trunk and decay extending into the trunk’s core.

But plans are afoot to preserve the intricate carvings of characters from Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic with a view to presenting the sculpture in a new format elsewhere in the town.

The sculpture was commissioned by the council in 2007 to extend the life of a dead ash tree rather than remove it.




Created by wood sculptor Andrew Frost, the Alice in Wonderland theme was chosen to celebrate Lewis Carroll’s connection with Rugby.

The author – real name Charles Lutwidge Dodgson – studied at Rugby School for three years from 1846.


Rugby Borough Council’s environment spokeswoman Coun Lisa Parker said: “The Alice in Wonderland tree sculpture was an innovative way of extending the life of a dead tree, but it’s life was always going to be limited.

“Nevertheless, it’s with a heavy heart we have had to condemn the tree and arrange for it to be removed as we know it has become a much-loved attraction at Whinfield Recreation Ground.

“However, we have already started work with our team at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum to protect the carvings and hope to unveil the results of our preservation project in the near future.”

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