From left – Katie Hewson, Bellway sales advisor; Cllrs Richard Whitlock and Ian Mackay; sculptor Lee Dickenson and his wife Wendy; and Cllr John Dallison.
Published: December 18, 2023 | Updated: 18th December 2023
An impressive wooden carving of a barrel-making artisan has been unveiled by a housebuilder at its new development in Dorset.
Bellway Wessex commissioned the life-sized cooper statue to celebrate Blandford St Mary’s brewing heritage.
The area has been associated with beer-making since the Hall & Woodhouse brewery was established in Blandford St Mary in 1777.
The solid oak work was created by Dorset sculptor and wood carver Lee Dickenson.
It was commissioned as part of the planning conditions to incorporate public art at the St Mary’s Hill development.
Sculptor Lee Dickenson (right) chats to Dave Murnane (left), Site Manager, and Cllr Richard Whitlock.
Lee, who runs Squashedapple Woodcarving in Sturminster Newton, together with his wife, Wendy, joined parish councillors and local residents for the unveiling, hosted by Bellway.
Emily Putnam, Sales Manager, Bellway Wessex, said: “The brewery is less than half a mile from our development, so we thought it would be fitting for us to commission a work of art that would celebrate the village’s beer-making tradition.
“The cooper was inspired by the happy coincidence that it’s not only a tradesman associated with the brewing industry, but also the name of one of the house types we’re building at St Mary’s Hill.
“The Bellway Artisan Collection, which includes a two-bedroom Cooper design, has been created to celebrate the names of many traditional artisan crafts.
The Hall & Woodhouse Brewery
“This magnificent wooden carving, also called The Cooper, has been afforded pride of place in the public open space right at the entrance to the development.
“It’s the first thing that visitors will see when they come to the site.”
Bellway Wessex is building 207 new homes at St Mary’s Hill, which is located at the southern edge of the village.
So far 77 homes have been handed over.
As part of the planning agreement for St Mary’s Hill, Bellway is to contribute a total of £2.4 million to help improve local infrastructure and services.
More than £2 million of this funding will go towards education in the area.
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