A proposal to commemorate Wroughton’s ‘decapitated’ chicken-shaped tree with a new sculpture is rapidly gaining support. 

Wroughton residents were dismayed when the landmark 20-year-old tree on the B4005 lost its ‘head’ earlier this month after a branch fell.

But Paula Hills wants to help change people’s thinking from dwelling on the loss of Wroughton’s own ‘Angel of the North’ into positive action. 

She says she has managed to find an environmental artist who is willing to create a chicken sculpture free of charge.

And other Wroughton companies including Olivestone Kitchens and Better Call Paul Garden and Maintenance have also pledged their support.

Paula proposed the idea to the parish council and it has been put forward for discussion at the Open Spaces Committee on April 5.

It’s an especially fraught time for Wroughton as Marlborough Road, a busy route through the village, was closed for three months in January for highway improvements. 

Paula said: “The reason I took on the challenge is the Chicken Tree is much loved by the villagers.

“There’s so much negativity in the village with all the road closures. Wroughton is drowning in sludge with the negative feelings that the roadworks and the Chicken Tree damage are invoking in people.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in the village who isn’t aware of the tree.

“I wanted to change people’s mindsets so they could look at things in a positive way which made me want to resurrect the tree.

“It’s a bit of fun. Everybody was so upset about the damage and this has changed the focus. 

“When I first posted on Facebook about this I asked people to be kind because sometimes they can say horrible things.

“But so many people like the idea of it and are so enthusiastic. When there’s an idea that makes people excited it would be good to see a conclusion.

“I really didn’t think it would catch on so quickly.”

Paula has drawn inspiration for the potential Chicken Tree statue from the trail of giant hare models in Cirencester which made headlines in 2014.

There was controversy surrounding the circumstances of the Chicken Tree’s demise at the time as some blamed workers carrying out unpopular roadworks on Brimble Hill. 

But Swindon Borough Council insisted that the branch forming the ‘head’ had fallen due to high winds.

Coun Cathy Martyn said: ”The branch fell due to high winds and not as a result of the contractors. There was a grab lorry adjacent and the branch fell on it.

"Apparently there is a video from the lorry driver to support, and when I receive it I will share it.”