Bury St Edmunds monk sculpture returns to Abbey Gardens

A giant monk sculpture, weighing around a quarter of a tonne, has returned to a plinth in the crypt at Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds.

The monk originally appeared at the site in November last year, kicking off the Abbey 1000 celebrations, marking 1,000 years since the founding of the Abbey of St Edmunds by King Canute.

The sculpture, by Nigel Kaines, made by blacksmith Kevin Baldwin and installed by Bury Developments, has become the eighth plinth piece as part of the celebrations.

Melanie Lesser, of Abbey 1000, said: “This sculpture project has been a great way to encourage more people to visit the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund and learn about the amazing building and community that once dominated the town.”