Ellesmere’s new ‘Sshhh’ sculpture now in place at The Mere

Photo by Lois Lagoyianni from The Red Lion, Ellesmere

News from our partners, Ellesmere sculpture initiative group

A new ‘Sshhh’ sculpture, carved in oak and weighing two tons, is back in place at Sshhh Corner in Ellesmere’s Cremorne Gardens.

The piece, spelling out the word ‘Sshhh’ in large wooden letters, was installed at the beauty spot just in time for Easter – substituting an original artwork that had to be removed last year because the lime wood timber had decayed.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council Chairman and councillor for the Ellesmere Urban division, said:

“It is amazing how the original SShhh sculpture became such a recognised landmark,  loved and appreciated by the local community and visitors alike.  I am delighted to see the replacement sculpture now in situ and would like, on behalf of the community, to offer my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative Group, and everyone involved in making this possible. We will now be able to walk to SShhh for many years to come!”

Volunteers helped to put the weighty sculpture in place using a Manitou tractor donated for the afternoon by a local family.

Trudi Graham, artistic co-ordinator  with the Ellesmere scultpture initative group, said:

“It was a wonderful community effort lifting it back into place. We’d like to say a big thank you to Shaun Burkey and his team at The Mere who have been very supportive, but also to everyone in the community who has helped over the last 10 months, particularly with fund-raising – businesses, organisations and individuals who’ve donated so generously, they have given us great encouragement.

“We’ve had to raise around £3500 and are still working at that, and we had to organise the construction of the new Sshhh in oak which is durable and will stay in place for decades. I’m pleased we managed to get it back, as promised, for Easter.”

Facebook pictures of the new ‘Sshhh’ rapidly gained over 300 likes and the sign is proving popular once again with families, and dogs, for selfies.

‘Sshhh’, which forms part of the Ellesmere Sculpture Trail, has been carved by wood artist John Merill at his workshop in Glyn Ceiriog. He was also responsible for creating the original sculpture eight years ago after gaining ideas and inspiration from pupils at Ellesmere primary school.

For more information, please contact Len and Trudi Graham on 01691 622726, or Claire Cartlidge on 01691 622890.