New Mills’ 400 ft ‘rock snake’ – started by six-year-old boy – is cemented into place

The installation - featuring stones painted with everything from NHS tributes to rainbows, ladybirds and bees - was started in March when lockdown began.

However Charlie Wild’s colourful art display quickly grew in size as more and more locals noticed the head he had painted - with signs placed nearby asking others to decorate and place a rock of their own.

The ‘outdoorsy’ youngster’s work - which he planned to finish when allowed back to school - will now remain alongside the walkway between St Georges Road and New Mills Leisure Centre for years to come.

On Sunday Charlie will cement the snake’s head and tail firmly into place - finishing 150 hours’ work undertaken by volunteers bonding over 1,800 rocks with the path.

Proud mum Katie Hicks, 29, said ‘excited’ Charlie had not yet grasped the fact that the commemorative artwork would be there ‘forever’.

She said: “He keeps saying how he’ll be able to show it to everyone when he’s older and tell them that he started it - we’re hoping to have a little plaque with his name on nearby.”

During the last few months New Mills residents picked up rocks placed at the end of the snake every day by Redmoor Senior Building Supplies - painting them and adding to the giant reptilian.

Charlie visited the spectacle four or five times a week with mum Katie – adding rocks he painted at home.

Doting mum Katie said the eye-catching scene had ‘brought people together’ - with the older generation as well as children joining in.

She said: “People have walked down there just to have a look at it and there are rocks there painted with ‘well done Charlie’ as well.

“Now it’s being cemented into place even more people have started talking about it - it’s unbelievable that it’s got this big.

“He started it for everyone to get involved and it’s brought the community together - I’m really proud of him.”

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