A HISTORIC school has planted the first stage of an environmental sculpture to celebrate the school's 450th anniversary.
In 2014, Felsted independent school will be marking its 450th birthday.
To commemorate the occasion, science students and their biology teacher, Mandy Bonnett, along with award-winning owner of King & Co nurseries in Rayne, Paul King, set about planting a living sculpture.
Designed by the arts coordinator at Felsted, David Smith, the group planted 45 Himalayan birch trees, with each tree representing a decade of Felsted's history. The trees have been planted now to ensure they are established in time for the celebrations in two years' time.
Mr Smith said: "Once established, it will be an environmental piece of art which will work visually throughout the seasons as a curtain of colour and movement."
The trees have been aligned in such a way that they will pick up the sun's light as it rises in the east and will hold onto it until it sets in the west.
"It is also a symbolist piece with references to the ethos and philosophy of Felsted," said Mr Smith.
"In addition to this is the environmental nature of the work.
"There has been great cooperation between the art department and the scientists in the biology department, who are striving to defend and develop the flora and fauna within the school's eighty-acre site."
Paul King is also working closely with Felsted to design and develop a garden to be shown at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013.
The garden will feature a living sculpture representing the loss of Follyfield Boarding House in a dramatic fire in July 2012 and the school's hopes for the coming years.
