Glastonbury Tor found preserved in log by gardener

Image of the runs of a tower perched in the top of a steep mound, surrounded by grassland, trees and hedges. A second image shows a cross section of a log with darker wood and stains in the wood grain which resemble Glastonbury Tor in Somerset Image source, Stuart Loak
Image caption,

Stuart Loak was collecting wood near Bath when he spotted an image of his hometown in the grain of a log

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A gardener said it was a "wow" moment when he uncovered what appeared to be an image of Glastonbury Tor preserved in a log.

Stuart Loak said he was out collecting wood near Bath when he picked up a branch and spotted an image of his hometown in the grain of the wood.

"I thought: 'Oh my God that's Glastonbury Tor'. I was like: 'Wow'. It was really spooky, cool and cosmic," he explained.

Glastonbury mayor Michael White said it was "lovely" to see the "iconic Tor" in the "heart of nature".

Glastonbury Tor rises 518ft (158m) above the Somerset Levels with the ruins of the 15th Century St Michael's Church perched on top.

Mr Loak, who grew up in Glastonbury, said he made his look-a-like discovery of the landmark in woods near Bath.

Selfie of a man with a white and grey stubble beard and moustache with two nose rings.  He is standing in woodland, wearing a dark hoodie and smiling at the camera.Image source, Stuart Loak
Image caption,

Mr Loak was collecting wood near Bath when he found the log

"I was just grabbing random hardwood logs and chucking them in the back of the van," he said

"And for some unknown reason, I saw the Tor was in one of them and thought: 'Wow this is really a special piece'."

Measuring around 60cm (24in) long and roughly 10cm (4in) in diameter, Mr Loak said he was hoping the image would run through the log like the writing in a stick of rock.

"When I finally got round to slicing it, unfortunately only two decent slices came out of it with the Tor shape," he said.

"The pattern changed, the further down the log I cut."

A cross section of a log with darker wood and stains in the wood grain which resemble Glastonbury Tor in Somerset.Image source, Stuart Loak
Image caption,

Mr Loak is hoping to have his find displayed in Glastonbury and printed on to postcards to be sold locally

Despite only cutting one "perfect" slice from the log, Mr Loak said the image of the Tor is "really, really cool and detailed".

He is now hoping to have his find displayed in the town and printed on to postcards to be sold locally.

"I think people would genuinely want to have a look at it," he said.

"It's a pretty special piece and the Tor - well it's the most iconic thing in Glastonbury isn't it and I don't think we'll find Glastonbury Tor preserved in a log again."

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