We have to report the owl has “flown away” from his perch and can update you as to his fate.
Unexpected removal
In December, a week before Christmas, one of the Friends’ members alerted us that the wooden owl, which was carved from the trunk of one of the mature sycamore trees by the walled gardens, had suddenly been removed.
As a regular volunteer gardener at Valentines, this came as an unwelcome surprise to her.
The Friends trustees have looked into this and can now let everyone know the full story.
Where did the owl come from?
The tall tree stump from which it was carved in 2019 had been created when a very large 100-year old tree was felled owing to disease.
A generally popular decision was made soon afterwards to commission a chainsaw artist to create the owl sculpture, symbolising wisdom and the history of Valentines.
It was commissioned by Valentines Park to commemorate 10 years since the restoration of the Gardens.
Public Safety
As you can imagine, the owl’s removal in December 2025 was done for reasons of safety to the public, especially as it had been noticed that some parents liked to stand their children on it to take photos.
The tree surgeons tried to preserve the owl as they removed it, but it fell apart during removal owing to decay. So sadly it could not find a new home somewhere else in the park.
Keeping a beady eye?
We shall all have to “watch this space” to see what happens next in this prime location, by the dovecote and Gardener’s Cottage Cafe, where it used to keep its beady eye on the mansion and Porte Cochère.
Joking aside
At the time of writing this, the decaying tree stump which is still in place (a haven for creatures much smaller than its previous occupant) is not exactly a rival for the spare plinth in Trafalgar Square, even though the tree does date from the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
The nineteenth century layer of planting, in this important Grade II listed Historic Park, is precious: as much so as earlier and later tree-planting schemes at Valentines.
Only two of these historic trees remain
The sycamore tree in question, was one of a whole group of sycamores planted in the nineteenth century, forming a turning circle for horses and carriages, to screen off the farm buildings and provide shade for the the Dairy Wing and the Mansion’s new principal entrance, the Porte Cochère.
There are now only two of these magnificent mature sycamores left in this spot. The one by the Dairy Wing in particular, frames the view of the mansion beautifully as you arrive in the park from Emerson Road.
We hope the two remaining sycamores will survive for many more years.
Support Us?
If you would like to support the work of the Friends to preserve and enhance the house and historic layers of Valentines Park please visit our Support Us page for details of how to join.
We continue to research the history of Valentines and are currently preparing a self-guided tour booklet for a Heritage Tree Walk available later this year.
We also arrange events, special open days, children’s and fundraising activities and support the managers of the Mansion and Park however we can. We encourage the public to visit and enjoy this important heritage site, which belongs to all of us in Redbridge.
Membership of the Friends of Valentines Mansion is £10 a year.
With thanks to Simon Litt, Park Manager, for the information and updates.
Friends Of Valentines Mansion 