11/09/16 Benjamin Hnat-Day (6) pretends to be the train driver. A hedge in Nottinghamshire has been crafted into a one third scale replica model of
11/09/16 Benjamin Hnat-Day (6) pretends to be the train driver. A hedge in Nottinghamshire has been crafted into a one third scale replica model of the Mallard. The living masterpiece clipped into a privet hedge is 7ft tall and 42 ft long. "The shape of the hedge just lent itself to being cut into a train" said 72 year old Brian Childs, a retired AA controller and steam enthusiast who has taken the last three years perfecting his topiary creation alongside his bungalow in Morkinshire Lane, Cotgrave. "Mallard broke the world steam record only 20 minutes from here in 1938 so that was the obvious choice. "I have dodgy knees and cannot climb ladders so I didn't want it to be too high - I'm 6'4" and can just reach the top of the train. "I trim it for a couple of hours every other day from Spring to Autumn. The front still needs to 'grow' a bit more so I can add one more wheel. "I've even included a footplate so a young lad from across the road can pretend he's the train driver. He thinks my blue shed is the ticket office. All Rights Reserved, F Stop Press Ltd. +44 (0)1773 550665
Size: 5066px × 3456px
Photo credit: © Rod Kirkpatrick / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: cotgrave, fstoppress, hedge, mallard, nottingham, press, steam, stop, topiary, train
