Plans to place a bull statue near a Carlisle home have caused distress for a local widow, who says the artwork could force her to move. Wendy Pleasent, 73, from Wreay, said she was horrified to learn that Cumberland Council intends to position the statue on a new roundabout near her house.
Her husband, Malcolm Flynn, died in 2020 after being attacked by cattle while walking near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Pleasent said seeing the statue “will bring back the trauma for me every day of my life – I won’t be able to avoid it,” adding that she may have no choice but to sell her home.
Cumberland Council explained that the sculpture, a Limousin bull made from metal strings, is designed to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage and was “never intended to cause personal distress.” The council highlighted the Limousin breed’s association with the area, referencing the sale of the world-record bull Rambo at Borderway Auction Marts in 2022.
Pleasent described her grief: “I couldn’t comprehend what was going on, it was the last thing on earth I imagined would happen when I kissed him goodbye in the morning.” She has requested that the council change the statue’s location, expressing concern that she would see it from her home regardless of which direction she tries to leave.
The council said it understands the situation is “deeply personal” for Mrs Pleasent and has made several adjustments to the statue’s design to support her. Measures include replacement fencing and access improvements around her property. A spokesperson added: “We remain committed to engaging with [Mrs Pleasent] directly to explore any further reasonable steps that could help reduce the impact, as well as continuing to update the wider community about the project.”
