Tolkien fans reassured over cracks in statue

Tolkien fan Gerard Baker says the statue in Roos, East Yorkshire, should be protected from the sun

Residents concerned about the condition of a statue celebrating writer JRR Tolkien's visit to their village have been reassured it will last for years to come.

The author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings spent 18 months in Roos, East Yorkshire, recovering from trench fever contracted while serving during World War One.

Fan Gerard Baker said a two-part sculpture of Tolkien and his wife, erected on 6 June, had started to crack due to its "open position in the sunlight".

A spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the idea was to depict Tolkien in natural surroundings and a maintenance plan was in place.

Cracks have started to appear on the statue of author JRR Tolkien

The wooden sculptures, hand-carved from oak by North Lincolnshire-based artist Allen Stichler, are part of a trail called The Tolkien Triangle, which recognises the impact the area's landscape had on the author.

The one of his wife, Edith, depicts her dancing in a nearby wood, which was the basis for a scene in his novel The Silmarillion.

Mr Baker said he was worried about how long the sculpture stands in direct sunlight.

He said: "The sculpture is in a very open space in full sun most of the day.

"Perhaps it should have been erected in a shadier spot to protect it from sun damage."

He is calling on the council to plant trees around the statue to protect it from further damage.

"Wood does age", said Mr Baker. "But the rate that this has aged is really unfortunate."

The wooden sculptures were made by North Lincolnshire-based artist Allen Stichler

The council said seasoning of wood does not typically affect its structural integrity and formed part of the character and charm.

"As wood is a natural, organic material, it will continue to season and acclimate to its environment," the spokesperson added.

"The ideation of the project was to depict JRR Tolkien in the naturalist surroundings of the location and we are completely satisfied that the statute will be in situ for many years to come with a maintenance plan in place.''

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