Dersingham’s Flight of Fantasy unveils giant timber sculptures at Pomeroy Forest in Northern Ireland

A West Norfolk timber company’s latest project has seen it create two record-breaking sculptures.

Dersingham-based Flights of Fantasy has unveiled two giants in Northern Ireland, and they are believed to be the world's largest timber sculptures.

The company is a leading creator of bespoke timber play areas and sculptures, and recently took on the project in Northern Ireland at the Pomeroy Forest.

The business was approached by Mid Ulster District Council in 2018 with the opportunity to create a discovery trim trail consisting of 38 bespoke timber carvings and ten playground structures, including the humongous giants.

They were designed by Flights of Fantasy founder Russell Bowlby.

The project has also been supported by the EU Peace Fund and has involved a collaboration with McGurk Architects, a multi-award winning architecture practice based in Magherafelt.

The project was completed earlier this year after about four months of carving and building work.

The two timber giants, standing at more than 15-foot tall, are believed to be the biggest sculptures in the world carved out of timber.

After the giants were carved by Luke Chapman at the company’s sustainable sawmill at the West Acre Estate using its own hardwood timber sourced from the premises, staff then shipped them out to Northern Ireland to be put in place.

Alex Chapman, head of marketing at the business, said: “To be part of this project and know it is going to be loved in Northern Ireland, taken photos of by families, and be part of lots of memories, we are really happy how it turned out.

“Seeing it from the beginning and growing and finally being finalised - it is really rewarding to see something like that.

“We believe from our carver, who is quite well informed in the carving world, that they are the biggest sculptures carved in timber.

“Luke Chapman, who is a local boy, is really good at what he does. He worked really hard on it and we are really pleased with how they turned out, and the clients are really happy with them.”

Flights of Fantasy has released a video titled ‘The Making of Giants’ which captures the intricate process undertaken by their master carver, along with footage of Pomeroy Forest, their sawmill, and the dedicated team.

The video showcases the journey from concept to installation, highlighting the craftsmanship and logistics involved in bringing these timber giants to life.