To celebrate His Majesty the King’s Coronation and as a legacy piece for Cirencester Park, The Bathurst Estate commissioned a failing Cedar tree to be turned into a commemorative carving.
The tree, located off the Broad Avenue was approximately 150 years old and had come to the end of its natural life.
The Cedar tree was felled by The Bathurst Estate’s Forestry Team in July 2023. The felled section has been safely stored and will form part of a sculpture trail in the Park, coming soon in 2024.
The legacy carving is a celebration of the natural habitat and the rare species found within the Park.
In August, Tree Carver Andy O’Neill began work on the Cedar. Carving took place over four weeks and Andy used a range of chain saws to carve intricate designs into the tree. Local school children were invited to provide design inspiration and Andy enjoyed incorporating the childrens’ ideas into the carving.
Rare species found in the Park have been carved into the design to represent both His Majesty’s passion for nature and also the Park’s natural habitat and conservation work. The Park is home to the Dormouse, the Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly as well as a thriving community of bees which enjoy the Estate’s wildflower margins.
The carving is crowned by the head of a buck which was a first for Andy to carve! The Park’s history with Fallow Deer dates back to the 1700s when it was originally laid out as a deer park by The 1st Earl Bathurst. Deer Park School, located next to Cirencester Park takes its name from this former use.
Of the finished carving, Lord Bathurst said: ‘His Majesty the King is a huge advocate for conservation and the celebration of the natural world, and we see this as a fitting way to pay tribute to the excellent work he has carried out. We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy it for many years to come.’
What can you see on the Coronation tree?
1) The King’s cypher marks the Coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III. The cypher consists of the initials of the monarch’s name, Charles, and title, Rex which is Latin for King, alongside a representation of the Crown.
2) The Hexagon on Broad Avenue dates back to c.1736 and is one of seven follies found within the Park. It is located on the Broad Avenue with views up Windsor Walk and towards Queen Anne’s Monument. This miniature version looks like a perfect place for the Park’s woodland fairies to hide!
3) Did you know Cirencester Park has over 1350 hectares of managed woodland across the Estate? That’s the equivalent of around 2,500 football pitches!
4) Equine enthusiasts can enjoy miles of uninterrupted riding in Cirencester Park. The Park also hosts a number of Horse Trials, Endurance Rides and Fun Rides throughout the year.
5) The carving represents all four nations of Great Britain. Can you name the four flowers?
6) The Roman Snail is the largest land snail in NW Europe and is a protected species. The Cotswolds is a hotspot for these giant herbivores and their shells can be up to 5cm in height! The Romans used to enjoy eating them as a tasty treat – yuck!
7) Sports enthusiasts will enjoy spotting these leisurely pursuits on the carving. Founded in 1842, Cirencester Park is home to one of the most picturesque Cricket grounds, with a rich history of the sport. The Park is also home to Cirencester Tennis Club and Cirencester Park Polo Club, both which have active calendars and welcome players of all ability.
8) Back from the brink of extinction, the Goshawk can now be spotted in Cirencester Park. Elusive in character, these birds of prey are best spotted in dense woodland on a clear day.
9) Since its creation in 1695 by The 1st Earl Bathurst, the Grade I Listed Cirencester Park is one of the greatest privately-owned Parks in the UK. Cirencester Park has been carefully stewarded by generations of The Bathurst Family; it is home to The 9th Earl Bathurst and Countess Bathurst, and the Earl’s son Lord Apsley together with his wife and son. This carving represents many aspects of what makes Cirencester Park a wonderful place for those who visit, live and work here.
