Clothing causing Arreton Hare sculpture to rot

Isle of Wight County Press report

County Press reported the Arreton hare is being 'killed by kindness,' community leaders have warned. 

Photograph by Melvyn Pettit

Woollen and knitted clothes made for the wooden hare, and left in place during the wet weather, are causing the sculpture at Arreton Cross to rot

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Parish council chairman Cllr Mick Thirkettle said: "Winter is coming and the hare will probably be sporting a variety of warm clothing, as it has in past years.

"Over the years the hare has been decorated with a variety of articles to bring attention to all sorts of issues. The parish council does not know who does the decorating and has no intention of trying to tell people who want to mark Island events what they can and can't do.

Photogrpah by Melvyn Pettit

"However, a recent inspection has shown that when it has been dressed up with articles of woven or knitted fabric, and this has been left on the hare for a long time when the weather has been wet, it is causing deterioration of the wood.

"Members of the parish council have started conservation work on the hare. We would be grateful if people waited until the process is finished before doing any further decoration. Can I please appeal for people to be aware that if they put clothes on the hare, they should only leave them on for a short while? They should certainly remove them after wet weather."