How drivers react to new monk statue on town roundabout

A wooden monk could be seen for many years at the roundabout on the Marcham Road where drivers can access Abingdon Tesco Extra and Fairacres Retail Park.

But last year the statue was removed after it rotted and toppled over.

READ MORE: New monk statue will appear soon

Now, thanks to fundraising efforts by St Swithuns Lodge – local Freemasons – a new monk statue has been carved and was lowered into place at the roundabout on Sunday.

A spokesman for the lodge said: “He was very popular amongst the drivers who were pleased the monk was back again.”

The project was organised by Abingdon resident Kenny Moore, who has lived in the town for 50 years after moving there at the age of 14 when his father was posted to the former RAF base.

Mr Moore is also a Berkshire Freemason and a member of St Swithuns Lodge that meets in the town.

The new monk statue (Image: Kenny Moore)

Reflecting on the unveiling, Moore said, “The past eight months I’ve been planning for this day. It’s incredible to think that this piece of English oak has been transformed into something new, but also something so strongly linked with Abingdon.”

The original wooden monk was donated in 2002 by Harry Benford, a local Freemason and owner of the former Abbey Press printers, as a gift to support Abingdon in Bloom.

Over time, the sculpture deteriorated, suffering damage at its base and eventually collapsing, leaving the roundabout without its iconic figure for the past two years.

Moore explained that the inspiration to restore the monk came after hearing a question frequently raised in Masonic meetings: “If your Lodge shut tomorrow, would the community miss you?”

The sentiment prompted members of the lodge to consider how they could contribute more visibly to the local community.

After researching potential artists, Mr Moore commissioned Mike Burgess, an internationally recognised chainsaw artist, to carve a new six-foot oak monk.

Funding was raised through contributions from St Swithuns Lodge, St Swithuns Chapter, Abbey Lodge, and individual members, enabling the project to move forward.

Sourcing a suitable piece of oak proved difficult, and wet weather delayed carving work, pushing the original Christmas installation target back several months.

Local builder Martin Davidson played a crucial role in the project by designing and constructing a custom bracket to mount the sculpture securely above ground level, allowing ventilation and preventing future damage. D

Mr Davidson also stepped in to repair minor damage when the monk fell during transit shortly before delivery.

The finished sculpture was delivered to Sydenhams’ builders’ merchants in Ock Street, before it was installed.

Town mayor Rawda Jehanli has welcomed the arrival of the new monk statue, saying: “It’s lovely that the monk is back where he belongs.”