Sedgemoor Willow Man to be rebuilt?

9:37am Friday 14th September 2012 in News Exclusive By Kirsty James

The Willow Man The Willow Man

AN APPEAL has gone out to repair Sedgemoor’s iconic Willow Man.

Teresa Grant, from Sycamore Close in Bridgwater, contacted the Mercury after she noticed the quirky landmark was not looking his best.

She said: “Our famous Willow Man is looking very sorry for himself. His left arm is very thin now and his head is losing shape as well.

“It is a famous land mark for a lot of travellers using the M5 and I normally point him out to family and friends when they visit Bridgwater. But now he seems to be wasting away and soon there will not be much left of him.”

The figure was created by artist Serena de la Hey to mark the millennium and celebrates the role of willow in the ecology and craft tradition of the Somerset Levels.

Responsibility for repairing the Willow Man lies with the artist. Serena said she will contact the Mercury as soon as she is able to reveal her plans.

Keep checking this website.

WHAT do you think of the famous Willow Man? Let us know below, email newsdesk@bridgwatermercury.co.uk or call 01278-727962.

Comments(6)

Mr Pedant says...
12:00pm Fri 14 Sep 12

The Willow Man has been in a sad state for some time now and as an ambassador for our local basket making industry, he isn't doing a very good job. Also, as his once tranquil surroundings have now gone, I wonder if the time has come to move him to a better location a little further up the M5 where he can be better viewed and appreciated.

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Jsomerset says...
12:32pm Fri 14 Sep 12

I would hope that Morrisons and Hallam management paid a huge sum towards its upkeep as they used it in all there adverting! And if they haven't yet then they should be the first port of call to ask.

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Samej1 says...
12:36pm Fri 14 Sep 12

Jsomerset wrote:
I would hope that Morrisons and Hallam management paid a huge sum towards its upkeep as they used it in all there adverting! And if they haven't yet then they should be the first port of call to ask.
+1

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Rusty Hinge says...
9:02am Sat 15 Sep 12

Never really struck me before but is the Willow Man doing an aeroplane impersonation?.

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frags27 says...
12:54pm Mon 17 Sep 12

We won't need the Willow Man to remind us we are passing a landmark on the M5 and how far down we are. We got a worse landmark called Morrisons how can you fail to miss that one. Having just returned from Cornwall I mentioned I live in Bridgwater the first thing the Cornish Man said was ah I always know Bridgwater when I see the great big Robert Wiseman place, the Market and Morrisons a little further on means I have left the area. Says it all really, remembered for all the wrong reasons, I said next time you pass through you will get confused as you will see a Hospital as well another nice landmark. Poor old Willow Man if only we had him and not the rest of the eyesores, as if !!!

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sheldoncooper says...
6:06pm Tue 18 Sep 12

frags27 wrote:
We won't need the Willow Man to remind us we are passing a landmark on the M5 and how far down we are. We got a worse landmark called Morrisons how can you fail to miss that one. Having just returned from Cornwall I mentioned I live in Bridgwater the first thing the Cornish Man said was ah I always know Bridgwater when I see the great big Robert Wiseman place, the Market and Morrisons a little further on means I have left the area. Says it all really, remembered for all the wrong reasons, I said next time you pass through you will get confused as you will see a Hospital as well another nice landmark. Poor old Willow Man if only we had him and not the rest of the eyesores, as if !!!
At least they don't mention the smell anymore :)

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