Joffrey Watson, a Shropshire-based sculptor who uses a chainsaw to carve his pieces, has created a Gruffalo, a character from the popular children’s book of the same name by Julia Donaldson, which will become part of a trail of artwork in the gardens and woodland that surrounds a local hospice.

The Shropshire Star reports that Joffrey, known locally as The Chainsaw Bloke, has also created several other animal characters from the book from a large oak tree, that will all be featured in the art trail for Severn Hospice’s gardens at Bicton Heath in Shrewsbury.

He said: “They had a large oak tree down, so I’ve carved it into various figures which have been put around the woodland.

“The entire project has taken about 15 days. I’ve been at the hospice, on and off, for about three or four months.”

He said that the carvings will make the area much nicer for kids and families, whether they are visiting the hospice or not, and said that he has had a positive reaction to the Gruffalo and friends.

Joffrey has qualified for the European Chainsaw Carving Championships in Alcester in 2022, and carving with a chainsaw has become his full-time occupation.

Head Gardener Joel Richards staid that Joffrey has been working hard over the past few months, felling trees to make way for new community services at Bicton, which he has transformed into benches for staff and visitors, as well as the character from The Gruffalo.

“They are wonderful, we have had so many comments about them from visitors and patients and they bring real personality to our newly landscaped gardens. Joffrey will be returning to our gardens in the coming months to work his magic elsewhere,” Joel said.

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