Mammoth sculpture returns home in Hoveringham after over 20 years

m.tavares@newarkadvertiser.co.uk

Published: 16:30, 13 July 2022

The iconic landmark of the mammoth sculpture has officially returned home to Hoveringham.

The statue, which has been at Nottingham Trent University for more than 20 years, was brought back to Hoveringham after a campaign.

It has been refurbished and is now home at the entrance to the Creagh facility in Hoveringham. It was officially unveiled on Saturday.

The Hoveringham Mammoth before it's restoration. (57308631)

It marked the end of a campaign by Hoveringham Vintage Vehicle Society, Yates Engineering and a group of volunteers.

“I used to see the sculpture while growing up and I remember seeing it being taken away,” said Mark Clifford, vice-chairman and secretary of Hoveringham Vintage Vehicle Society

“Now that it is back I am delighted. It’s absolutely fantastic. It was very emotional and a fitting conclusion to the end of a project.”

The Mammoth ready for it's return to Hoveringham, after restoration by Yates Engineering. (57308634)

The 23ft statue is now within 20 metres of its original place of when it was commissioned in October 1965 for the entrance to Hoveringham Gravel Company.

A mammoth featured on the company logo after remains of the creature were found in the quarry.

When the company was bought out by Tarmac, the sculpture was gifted to the Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus.

L-R Mark Clifford - HVVS team who fronted the project, Oliver Fetiveau, Stephanie Fetiveau, Alain Fetiveau, David Yates - HVVS team. (57875470)

The idea for its return to Hoveringham started 3½ years ago with a meeting at The Reindeer.

More than £17,000 has been raised to make the move a reality.

Among those at the official unveiling on Saturday were Oliver Fetiveau, grandson of Harold Needler, the founder of Hoveringham Gravel Company, alongside his mother and father who came from London to celebrate the return of the sculpture with workers and volunteers.

The Hoveringham Mammoth featuring on the front page in 1965. (57308609)

At the celebration speech, David Yates, of Yates Engineering, said: “I would like to say all the way through this project Mark Clifford has been an equal partner and after hundreds of emails and many hours it is a relief to get to this day, life will not be the same.

“No doubt our families and friends will be even more relieved not to have us boring the pants off them hearing about the mammoth.

“It has been a great community endeavour and almost without exception brought out the best in people and will hopefully be here to be admired for years to come.”