Pensioner's cock-shaped hedge becomes tourist draw

A Fife pensioner says his old cherry tree has become a tourist attraction after he shaped it to look like a cock.

By The Newsroom Friday, 12th August 2016, 2:54 pm Updated Friday, 12th August 2016, 3:58 pm

Pensioner Jim Hughes from East Wemyss, Fife. Picture: SWNS

Around four weeks ago, Jim Hughes climbed up his ladder and shaped the the ivy-covered tree to create a 14ft male chicken, which he’s nicknamed Jock the Cock.

Jim said: “Originally, it was an old cherry blossom tree. It got that big that I was worried it would be blown over and hit a car.”

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He created the comb – the technical term for the fleshy area at the top of a chicken’s head – using a bit of red plastic he found on the road, and the beak using a yellow bucket.

Pensioner Jim Hughes from East Wemyss, Fife. Picture: SWNS

It took him just 30 minutes to do it using a pair of sheers and secateurs.

The grandfather surprised his wife with the bizarre sculpture and says tourists are now stopping outside his home to take pictures – and it’s become quite famous with the locals too.

As a youngster, Jim kept bantams (small poultry) and used to show them and even won a few prizes.

Picture: SWNS

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Pensioner Jim Hughes from East Wemyss, Fife. Picture: SWNS