<big>Our Stone Monster

Have a look at the progress of our "Keeper of the Gate" stone monster project.

First, we visited the Doulting Quarry.

Mrs Yeoman has very kindly said that we can have a stone to make into a monster for the back playground.

We chose the very best stone for carving monsters, from the same limestone quarry which was used to build the Cathedral at Wells.

We tried to lift it, but it was too heavy, so we needed a JCB digger.

Richard, the Quarry Manager, lifted the stone and placed it on to a farm trailer which was driven by John. I think they've done this before  - they made it look easy!

The dog looked really sad - I think it was his favourite stone!

Here is Barry Cooper, the stonemason, with three of the children from Class 3. He has worked on the stone to remove odd bits and has begun to shape the monster. What are those legs sticking out of the end? 

They are steel legs that have been fixed deep into the stone to make sure it stands up safely. Don't worry, it won't be running anywhere!

Back at school - a deep hole has been dug. The first pouring of concrete takes place - this gives the stone a good solid surface to sit on.

When the concrete has set, the stone arrives in a trailer - see how the steel legs have been made into a standing frame for the stone.

With the help of a JCB digger or two the stone is lowered carefully into place.

And here it is, standing in place ready for straightening and then more concrete!

We drew 2D pictures and made 3D models of how we wanted the monster to look. We had to "program" Barry to include our designs into his work.

The design was drawn on in charcoal and work began to shape the body and to make the faces.

The monster is "The Keeper of the Gate" (into our new school field) and his front is smiling, welcoming and friendly.

His back, on the other hand, is going to be angry, scary and frightening to scare bad things away from our school!

Can you see his nose taking shape as Barry works away with his drill?

In the background, you can see the fencing for our new field - soon it will be ready for the "Keeper" to guard!

The "Keeper of the Gate" is really beginning to take shape!

 Now he has some hands and better features on his face.

We can't even reach him on our playtime stilts and look - he seems to have a tummy button!

We can see right through from one side to the other and we can speak to each other through his tummy - what a great monster!

And so, the day has come, and Barry has completed his work!

Welcome to our school .....

Keep away from our school!

The whole school gather round the finishished stone. Thanks, Barry for a wonderful job!