AN ARTIST who has been working part-time in a castle garden has helped create a superb Santa's grotto there.
Mr Paul Denham, who is now employed full-time at the Art Shop in Bondgate, Darlington, spent two months designing and creating the winter wonderland at Raby Castle near Staindrop. It takes the theme of a log cabin and reflects the wildlife of Raby Estate, including deer, rabbits and squirrels.
Mr Denham has painted two large winter scenes, each over 1m high, to give a realistic aspect for children, and the timid woodland animals can be seen in 3D effect, created on MDF, peeping through the undergrowth on the way to the cabin.
Mr Denham, who has a BA in fine art from the university of Leeds Bretton art college, has recently exhibited at the Witham Hall's Castle gallery in Barnard Castle and has other displays in the pipeline. He is available for small commissions and can be contacted on 01388 718094 outside office hours.
Information about the grotto's opening hours is available from the castle on Teesdale 660207 or by e-mail at catherine.turnbullsham.
"The
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article