He carved the giant hand of Vyrnwy, created a traffic-stopping dragon and designed an egg cradle for Daenerys in Game of Thrones.
But now world-renowned wood sculptor Simon O’Rourke faces losing the seat of his creativity after his farming landlords decided to retire.
Hem House, a 440-acre organic dairy farm between Holt and Rossett, Wrexham, was this week put on the market for £4.8m.
Simon hopes the buyer will allow him to stay in one of the farm sheds – but he’s resigned to the possibility his business may be left homeless.
“Not knowing who is going to buy the farm means we have to be prepared to move,” he said.
“It’s a great place here. I love it and I would like to stay, but at the moment I honestly don’t know if that will be the case.”
If he is forced to move, Simon has a very specific set of requirements for his new workshop.
Firstly, it must be big enough for projects that have included life-sized sculptures of Batman, medieval monks, Vikings and The Beatles.
It must also have enough storage for up to 30 tonnes of timber.
“The workshop must also be secure, for obvious reasons, and ideally it should have three-phase power – I also employ a carpenter who makes incredible furniture,” he said.
(Image: Arwyn Roberts / North Wales Live)
Currently putting the finishing touches to a life-sized lion, Simon is about to start work on his next project, a Borders Regiment solder commissioned by Workington Council to commemorate World War II.
He added: “If we have to move, it will be a challenge, but all businesses face challenges.”
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Robots and wildlife
Hem House farm is being sold as a whole or in two lots.
The main block of 295 acres includes a Grade II-listed 18th century farmhouse and buildings, valued at £3.75m.
A further 145 acres of pastureland is available for £1.125m.
The farm has 4,000 sq metres of shed space for livestock, fodder and machinery.
Currently housed there are 170 Montbeliarde and Friesian dairy cows plus followers and young stock.
They are milked in a parlour which includes three MK 2 Fulwood Merlin robotic milkers, installed in 2015, and a 12,000-litre bulk tank.
Owners Clyde and Helen Parker are the third generation owners of a farm that was acquired by the family on June 17, 1912.
At one time it also housed pigs and produced its own Cheshire cheese.
In 2011 the couple were North Wales winners of a Silver Lapwing conservation award after adapting the farm to attract birds, insects and otters.
There are now no fewer than 19 wildlife ponds on site.
After a lifetime of farming, the Parkers have mixed emotions about leaving a property that holds so many memories.
“But it is the right time,” said Helen. “Clyde is two years past retirement age and recently he had a health scare.
“Even so he’s been advised to carry on as if he’ll be farming here forever – to ensure the place remains in good condition for whoever takes it on.
“We hope we can find someone who is interested in wildlife as well as dairy farming.
“We also hope the buyer can continue working with Simon because we have loved having him here.”
The sale includes fishing rights along 2,000 metres of the Rivers Dee and Alyn, currently let to Lavister Angling Club and Warrington Anglers.
Two ponds on the farm are informally let to a local village syndicate.
- Selling agent is J Bradburne Price & Co, Mold. Sales particulars and viewing requirements are here.
