The Sentinel

JASON TURPIN-THOMSON

The Sentinel

On one face of a totem pole, a man is depicted wielding a scythe, a hand tool used in agriculture, while on the other, a Roman soldier is seen carrying a spear and a fish. Jason Turpin-Thomson created both the Sentinel and the Sheepwash or some called it the Shepherd in Ferry Meadow Country Park. Sentinel was carved in 2003. Jason also carved a number of sculptures in Ferry Meadow Park that are not included on this website. A stroll through the country park will allow you to see them on public display.

The Sentinel was carved from the park’s last large, living elm tree, which was succumbed to Dutch elm disease. Jason was commissioned to carve the standing tree into a sculpture featuring aspects of Ferry Meadows from its Roman fish pond, agricultural uses, gravel workings and diverse wildlife. The artwork, which the artist originally titled the Guardian, is now known in Ferry Meadow Country Park as Sentinel. The artist wrote, “This was a very gnarly burred old tree and extremely hard to carve. After a period of three months and many trips up, down and around my tower scaffold it was carved with chainsaw and chisels.”¹

More information about the artist’s work and current project can be found on the artist’s Facebook page. The images opposite are provided by the artist. The tree before it was carved into Sentinel is depicted in Figure 2 opposite. Figure 1 depicts the entire sculpture now on display in Ferry Meadow Country Park. It is located at the park’s entrance. As you enter the park through the main entrance, you won’t miss it.

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