Giant monk sculpture unveiled in Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, to kick off Abbey 1000 celebrations

A giant monk sculpture made from thick steel and weighing around 250kg has been unveiled in Bury St Edmunds to kick off the Abbey 1000 celebrations.

The monk has been installed in the Abbey Gardens ruins, to kick of the celebrations marking 1,000 years since the founding of the Abbey of St Edmunds by King Canute.

The celebrations were originally planned for 2020 but were postponed due to coronavirus.

The sculpture's unveiling comes as the first in a number of events planned for next year.

Libby Ranzetta, chair of The Abbey 1000 Group, said: "It's very exciting to be finally kicking this off, because we've had two false starts. We were going to do this in 2020 and of course Covid put pay to that.

"We decided to not run the programme this year, which was probably a good idea, although it was a difficult decision at the time, so we're really going for it next year and today is all about launching the programme and letting people know what's happening in 2022."

She added: "A thousand years doesn't come around often, so we couldn't let it pass, and it's a good time to reflect on what an amazing history the town has had, thanks largely to the Abbey."

The monk was designed by Nigel Kaines and created by Kevin Baldwin, at Designs On Metal, in Stowlangtoft.

Kevin spent around 200 hours on the steelwork, hammering and using his own body weight to shape the metal.

He said there was a lot of 'doing something, standing back and seeing' if it looked right, and modifying the sculpture.

The sculpture also comes with a small electronic lantern, which is powered by a solar panel on the top.

Sue Warren, brand and marketing manager of Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, said unveiling the sculpture and launching the Abbey 1000 celebrations was 'brilliant'.

"We've launched this three times now, so third time a charm," she said.

"It's just great to have one of the sculpture's here for people to see over the weekend in the community."

Residents wanting to see the sculpture have just today and this weekend to do so as it will be taken away and brought back next May as the first installation of the Abbey 1000 Sculpture Exhibition.

Running from May 1 to November 30, 2022, there will be a different sculpture in the Abbey Gardens each month.

Residents wanting to take a look at the monk over the next few days will be in with a chance of winning a cash prize as well.

For more details, go to: https://www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/blog/2021/send-us-your-monk-selfie

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is also running a special evening of music, guided mini-tours and mulled wine tonight on St Edmund's Day eve, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Entry is free.

For more details, go to: www.stedscathedral.org/whats-on

Read more: All the latest news from Bury St Edmunds