Retired Stamford School teacher and amateur carver makes new crucifix for All Saints Church, Tinwell
An amateur wood carver who helped create a new crucifix for a village church will see his work blessed next month.
It took George Earl 72 hours to create the figure of Christ for the crucifix at All Saints Church, in Tinwell.
The new addition to the village church will be blessed at a special service at 3pm on Sunday, March 5 by the Rev Olwen Woolcock, the priest-in-charge of Ketton and Tinwell, and the Archdeacon of Oakham, the Rev Canon Alison Booker.
George, from Stamford, carefully carved the figure out of lime wood, under the guidance of professional carver Glyn Mould at Elton Village Hall.
Glyn, from King's Cliffe, is also resident woodcarver at Sacrewell Farm where he runs workshops.
"I wanted to make sure it was closely supervised," George said.
"I've done as good a job as I think I can.
"I like to a keep a low profile so I haven't signed it, but I'm pleased to have been a part of it."
It has been attached to a cross made out of English oak by George’s friend Ralph Fechter, from Stilton.
"It is really beautiful and we are thrilled to be given something so carefully and considerately carved for All Saints Church," said Rev Woolcock.
"It will be received and blessed, and we pray it will be a symbol of life and hope for the Tinwell congregations for the next hundred years and more."
George took up carving as a hobby in the mid-1990s to prepare for retirement from Stamford School where he taught biology.
He was asked whether he could create a new crucifix for Tinwell by a former colleague, George Woolf, and took up the challenge in September 2021.
Creating such an intricate piece did not come without its challenges, particularly the head, but George said it was a privilege to be involved.
"Getting features on a head is difficult anyway, but on something so small as this was particularly tricky," he explained.
"Glyn is a gifted carver and some of the other carvers at Elton are gifted - I think I'm somewhere in the middle."
He added: "I asked them how they wanted it finished and they left it up to me so all I have done is give it some beeswax polish and buffed it up.
"Overall I'm pleased with it and all the reaction from those who have seen it has been very positive."