Hare restorers!
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The Arreton Hare – previously stolen – is back in place and tonight a merry band of hare enthusiasts gathered at the full moon to mark his return with a suitable celebration.
Arreton Parish Council, Gift to Nature, Island 2000 and the Isle of Wight Council were all represented at the informal gathering at the White Lion pub, Arreton. The pub’s regulars have been generously collecting towards the restoration costs, and the party checked out the quality of the beer before setting off up the dark road to Arreton Cross to see the full moon shining down upon the hare, now reunited with his magpie friends.
The moon was bright – and the passing cars shone their lights on the little scene, probably wondering what these odd people were doing gathered around a wooden animal. Some even lay down on the wet grass to get pics of the hare with the moon behind him, which must have looked even stranger, so it was hardly surprising that at least one passing motorist yelled from their window ‘Don’t nick it!’
Artist Paul Sivell obligingly posed by the sculpture, and explained that he’d originally been asked to do the hare, but had decided to add the two cheeky magpies alongside so that they would cheer him up every time he drove by. It seems that Paul’s creation has very quickly worked its way into the affections of the Island, as the outcry when it was partly lost has been matched only be the relief when it was found again.
Nice to see it back where it belongs hope its still there next year when we come back for our holiday
It’s great to see the hare back and Paul has done a wonderful job of disguising the damage. Hurrah for the moon gazing hare!