Who is the wooden woman at the Galloway picnic bench?

2 hours ago

Giancarlo RinaldiSouth Scotland reporter

News image — The wooden figure is going on tour - with a replica bench - before reaching its final destination

D&G Woodlands A wooden sculpture of a woman sitting at a picnic bench — The wooden figure is going on tour - with a replica bench - before reaching its final destination

With her hair piled on top of her head and one arm outstretched in welcome, she bears more than a passing resemblance to a young Barbara Windsor - the Carry On star who went on to go down in legend as Eastenders landlady Peggy Mitchell.

But the life-size wooden woman has not been made to stand behind the bar of the Queen Vic - instead it will sit on a picnic bench in the remote Galloway hills.

The figure will be unveiled in a short ceremony on Waterside Hill on 31 May but before that it will stop off - on a replica bench - at a number of locations nearby.

Sculptor Robert Lawrence said he hoped it would encourage people to enjoy the view and consider the history of the Glenkens area.

McNabb Laurie, manager of Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, said: "It is simply impossible to be next to this figure and for it not to provoke discussion."

Graham Robson The view from Waterside Hill on the Southern Upland Way with rolling hills and the town of Dalry in the distance — The sculpture hopes to encourage people to consider the view and the wider history of the area

The sculpture is part of the Woodlands Plus project - looking at exploring how to add social, economic and ecological benefits to the area.

As part of this, new interpretation boards were installed on Waterside Hill last year that reveal the history of the area, and a new picnic bench was installed near the summit.

Now the life-sized wooden figure has been crafted to sit on the bench.

D&G Woodlands A closer up image of the sculpture of a wooden woman — McNabb Laurie said the sculpture was certain to "provoke discussion"

Laurie admitted the first thing people had asked was who exactly the woman was meant to be.

However, he said they deliberately wanted people to make up their own minds on her identity.

"She is supposed to be generally representative of a woman, allowing everyone to engage and create their own stories," he said.

"I have had numerous questions about what she is called and I suppose again, we are trying to purposefully not name her so people feel they have the 'creative space' to engage as they see fit."

A number of the stops on its tour will be accompanied by local storyteller Anne Errington to encourage people to engage with the area's heritage.

Laurie said: "This sculpture - part-artistic installation and part heritage engagement opportunity – has been lovingly created to form a feature of anyone's walk along the Southern Upland Way.

"The tour of the Glenkens in May is only possible thanks to the support from a wide range of partners, thank you to all involved.

"If you see her out on her travels, please do say hello."