MYSTERY surrounds the disappearance of one half of a popular Lees landmark.
The Fox and Owl sculpture at the entrance to Leesbrook Nature Park has been targeted by thieves who have chopped off the owl.
It’s perch is now half the original size leaving the curious fox staring up at nothing but the sky.
The theft was first noticed by Saddleworth and Lees councillor Val Sedgwick last Monday.
She said: "It is a landmark. Whoever has taken it must be sick in the head. It’s probably lying in someone’s garden now or been dumped. It’s just mindless vandalism."
The sculpture was the result of an arts project involving pupils from St Thomas Leesfield, Hey with Zion and St Edward’s and was officially opened in April 1995.
Pam Curtis, assistant headteacher at St Thomas, remembers the project well.
She said: "The children worked very hard with drawings and design ideas for the sculpture. Shortly after the animals were installed we went to the valley to plant lots of saplings which are now quite mature. It’s really awful to hear someone has done this to the sculpture, every time I go past it I think ‘we had something to do with that. I’m sure all the pupils who had a hand in creating the sculpture will be delighted if it can be repaired."
Cllr Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: "We became aware of this several days ago and I am at a loss to explain why anyone would do something so mindless. The owl and fox sculptures were installed as symbols of civic pride – although that is clearly a concept which the perpetrators of this alleged act are not familiar with. We’re treating this as an act of deliberate vandalism and criminal damage. The owl appears to have been forcibly cut off, which would have required either a saw or the use of heavy-duty cutting equipment. This was a piece of bespoke art originally produced for a display at the Tatton Park Flower Show. We are now trying to contact the artist and ideally would like to get a replacement done in cast metal. However, we are appealing for the public’s help in tracking down the person or persons responsible for this. If anyone has any information, I would urge them to contact either the police or our parks team, in confidence, on 0161 770 4642."
