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New Oak Monk Rises on Abingdon Roundabout
5 Apr
Summary
- A new 6ft English oak statue of a monk replaced the old one.
- Abingdon Freemasons donated £2,000 for the new sculpture.
- The new statue stands on the Marcham roundabout after 20 years.
A new wooden monk statue has been installed on the Marcham roundabout in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, marking the return of a cherished local landmark. The original statue, donated in 2002, had stood for over two decades before succumbing to years of neglect and damage.
Abingdon Freemasons provided £2,000 to commission the replacement, a 6ft sculpture carved from solid English oak by artist Mike Burgess. This initiative was spearheaded by Kenny Moore, a long-time resident and member of St Swithun's Lodge, who dedicated eight months to the project. Moore expressed immense pride in seeing the town's mascot reinstated.
The community has welcomed the monk's return, with the Mayor of Abingdon, Rawda Jehali, emphasizing its significance as a piece of local heritage. To prevent future deterioration, local freemason lodges have committed to annual maintenance, ensuring the new statue endures.
