TWO wise looking wooden owls appeared on top of a tree stump at the entrance of a Conwy school to welcome pupils returning from their half term break.

The owls were carved during the break and headmaster Ian Gerrard, of Ysgol Aberconwy, said: “We used to have a large conifer tree at the front of the school which was condemned following a health and safety review.

“So rather than remove it completely we decided, with the company which manages the school site, to have the keep 15 feet of the trunk and have a sculpture carved on the top.

He added: “A sculptor was approached and he produced a number of designs and we selected one which we thought was suitable. It features two owls on top of the stump, with a book between them.

“Owls are symbols of wisdom, and we try to impart wisdom and knowledge to our pupils, so they are entirely appropriate.”

Mr Gerrard, who has been in post for four years, added: “A number of people have already approached me and said how pleased they are to see the sculpture.

“The pupils also seem to be very happy with the concept and the design.”

Sculptor Edward Parkes said: “The idea for the owls came from the school and the management company. As the tree has two trunks, I put an owl on top of each trunk and the book between them.”

“The work took about four days, and I did it over the half term break.

Mr Parkes added: “I used specialist chain saws for the carving. I have undertaken commissions all over the UK, and I’ve done owls before including some in recesses in the town walls of Conwy and I’ve done a goat on the Great Orme.”.