The spirit of Wendy lives on

Wendy Jackson, who had worked at the Spa Centre for almost nine years, died at the age of 52 on January 13 after suffering a heart attack.

Her friends and colleagues wanted to create something by which they could remember her and celebrate her life.

Philippa Sheasby, finance officer at Warwick District Council, had been friends with Mrs Jackson for 30 years and took up a job at the Spa Centre bar to work alongside her.

She said: “We are trying to epitomise her life in a sculpture. The ‘Spirit of Wendy’ encompasses memories that we will always attribute to Wendy - her unfailing spirit, fun lovely attitude, dedication to friends and her beloved cat.”

Mrs Sheasby and others contributed funds towards commissining Birmingham-based wood sculptor Graham Jones to transform the stump of a cedar tree outside the Spa Centre that had been cut down and offered for use by the theatre’s manager at the time, Antony Flint.

Publicity officer Jo Lewis said: “Friends and co-workers very much wanted to physically mark the celebration of her life.

“A lot of interest has already been generated whilst the sculpture was evolving and it has become quite a talking point.”

Mr Jones, who has more than 30 years’ experience in wood carving, was told about Mrs Jackson’s personality and interpreted it in his own way to create the sculpture.