SCULPTURES of Mr Toad, Badger, Ratty and Mole have travelled all the way from Tynedale to a new home in Hertfordshire, after being constructed by local willow weaver Ruth Thompson and metal worker John Rutherford.

The four Wind and the Willows characters, and Toad’s famous motorcar, were commissioned by Garden City Greenway and took a total of five months to construct, before they were brought to Radwell Meadows Country Park to be made permanent features.

At John’s workshop in Kiln Pit Hill, each sculpture was first constructed by creating a metal base, forged by John himself, before Ruth got to work hand weaving, using a mixture of willow, oak, and chestnut.

“It was a proud moment for me to watch the positive public reaction to the figures,” Ruth said. “I hope they will be well loved there.”