AN ICONIC dale landmark has been recreated in miniature by a Langleydale craftsman.
Trevor Dixon, who is best known for his models of farmhouses and stone wall scenes, decided to take on the more difficult challenge of recreating Barnard Castle’s Market Cross when Covid-19 decimated his usual commissions.
It is something he had wanted to do for about two years and took about two months to complete.
He said: “I began in October – I have only been doing a couple of hours a day.”
Mr Dixon, who started his model business Dalestone Craft after retiring as a farmer and drystone-waller, used stone, wood and cardboard to recreate the grade-II listed structure.
Mr Dixon said “I have worked off photographs so don’t ask me what scale it is. I think if it looks right, it is right.”
The completed model is true to the original, down to the bullet-holed weather vane and inscription.
A photo of the model posted on social media attracted more than 800 likes, with some people commenting that it looks better than the original because it hasn’t suffered damage from passing HGVS.
Mr Dixon quipped: “Some said I didn’t have [Dominic] Cummings in it.”
The craftsman’s usual activities have been severely curtailed due to the pandemic as the agricultural shows, where he would usually have a stand to attract commissions, had all been cancelled.
Earlier this year the craftsman shared his skills with a weekly training programme scheme organised by Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) which attracted 14 students.
They were due to exhibit their finished pieces at The Witham in March last year, just as the first Covid-19 lockdown was imposed.
Mr Dixon said: “There were some really creative pieces.
“They were mainly doing houses and littles walls and they were really interested in doing it. It is a pity we couldn’t display what they had done.”
Anyone interested in Mr Dixon’s work, or would like to commission him to reproduce their homes in miniature, can contact him on 01833 630239 or 07801 339674.
