The Wolseley Centre is the Headquarters for the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, the county's leading nature conservation charity. It is an award winning centre, set in 26 acres of beautiful grounds where you can explore interesting features and wildlife-friendly display gardens. The grounds that were once the ancestral home of the Wolseley family, are now managed with wildlife in mind, yet still cater for people of all ages and mobility.
The carving has been created by sculptor and craftsman Anthony Hammond, at the Wolseley Centre. It is themed on the birds, animals and other wildlife at the reserve, it includes carvings of a kingfisher, water vole, crayfish and otters. (
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The carving project goes back to the time when a giant Cedar Of Lebanon tree, which was growing at the Wolseley Centre was damaged in a storm. Rather than chop down the tree the Trust asked Anthony if he could carve something out of it. The resulting massive sculpture was carved from the trunk of the tree – which measures over 8 feet across and 25 feet in height. The Trust thinks the artwork must be the largest of its kind in Staffordshire. The project took around 8 days to complete and was carved entirely with a chainsaw. The Trust organised a big event to publicise its completion and John Craven, the presenter of the BBC’s Countryfile programme, was invited to official unveil the sculpture. Source: (
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'Anthony Hammond is an Award winning artist, sculptor and craftsman based in North Staffordshire.
He has worked nation-wide as a freelance artist since 1998.
His focus is predominantly on large scale public art works and private commissions and he has produced many successful projects across the country for a variety of clients.' (
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At the Wolseley Centre there are a network of accessible footpaths weaving around the grounds. Areas to explore include, Stafford Brook, woodland and wetland habitats, three lakes, wildlife garden, sensory garden and an elevated boardwalk.
For younger visitors to the centre, there is a Play Trail, which includes a welly splash bridge, musical sculptures, rocks, logs and trees to climb on and a giant web swing! Look for the many natural sculptures and willow creations around the grounds in the leafy undergrowth.
The Centre has a gift shop that sells nature-inspired books, toys, homeware, clothing, cards, bird food and feeders.
There is a small cafe which provides hot and cold drinks and cold snacks which you can enjoy in an indoor or outdoor seating area or one of the many picnic benches around the grounds.
The centre has conference facilities for meetings and functions, can cater for Birthday Parties and school visits and also offers a packed programme of events and activities throughout the year.
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