A MAMMOTH 28-metre snake is set to slither out of a Huddersfield quarry.
And it will take pride of place at the Chelsea Flower Show.
These are the first images to show the full glory of the giant stone snake, which has been carved at Marshall’s Appleton Quarry at Shepley by Huddersfield sculptor Michael Disley.
Standing at one metre high and 28 metres long uncoiled, the six-tonne sculpture will be shipped off on May 5 to feature as the central piece in a garden sponsored by Huddersfield-based Marshall’s at the 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which runs from May 20 to 24.
Jeremy Swallow, PR manager for Marshall’s, said they were delighted with the finished product.
“It really is quite fantastic. It is one of a kind and we have taken every precaution to make sure it gets to the show safely.”
The show garden, entitled The Marshall’s Garden That Kids Really Want!, was inspired by designs created by children from Sawley Junior School in Nottingham.
They were one of many schools across the UK that entered a contest to win the chance to design show garden for Marshall’s, who are sponsors of the prestigious London show until 2009.
The pupils have helped Michael Disley put the finishing touches to the snake, including creating stippled patterns on its back.
He spent four months carving the snake out of gigantic stone blocks weighing up to 10 tonnes each.
Michael has a long-standing relationship with Marshall’s and his studio has been located at the Shepley quarry for several years.
He is well-known for his humorous and simple stone sculptures, which can be found all over the UK and abroad, including Zimbabwe and Japan.
Mr Swallow said: “He is a fantastic man. He has done an amazing job. It takes a lot of skill to create something like this marvellous snake out of a square block.”
