The Aclet

Had to take mum to Bishop Auckland Hospital this morning to have impressions taken for new hearing aids.
On the way there, we pass this sculpture which appeared some time ago, in front of a pub.The premises have been lying closed for some time but are now being renovated.We never quite knew why it was there, so I decided to stop and have a quick 'nosey' before returning home.
It appears this sculpture was commissioned to act as the centrepiece of a small area of re-landscaped municipal gardens which act as a gateway into a large post-war housing estate. Its theme was taken from the prominent public house, standing behind the gardens, which is called The Aclet, meaning small Oak tree.
A huge pair of cupped hands, carved on both sides of two tapering blocks of buff coloured sandstone , hold between them a young oak plant, symbolising regeneration and care for the environment.
Set into the sides, and the plinth, are over a hundred ceramic tiles made on the theme by local children and adults in a series of art workshops.I wanted to show the tiles but in the process, obliterated the roots of the Aclet, glistening in the sunshine.However,they can be seen in the shadow on the side of the sculpture.
The sculptor was a Philip Townsend and was part of a project set up by Groundwork West , Durham in 2008.The steelwork was by Brian Russel.
Very apt that the pub is now being given a new lease of life.Perhaps it owes its rebirth to the sculpture which lies before it.