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For more than a century, the topiary marvel known affectionately as Cockadoodle kept a watchful eye over the idyllic North Yorkshire village of Bishop Monkton.
Also known as the Burngarth Cockerel after the 18th century Grade II-listed cottage to which it belonged, the sculpted yew – which once reached 30ft tall – was so renowned that it was visited by tourists and schoolchildren and featured on postcards promoting the area.
Photographs taken over the decades – with the first recorded image from 1910 – show the cockerel in varying states of leafy plumage but always present in the garden of Bishop Monkton’s most iconic property, which is thought to have been built in around 1720.
Now, however, in a move which has divided this historic village -mentioned in the Domesday book – Cockadoodle is no more.
Today, in place of the handsome garden feature which long brought a smile to locals and tourists alike, is a sour-faced stone gargoyle, glaring at passers-by.
But what might look like a metaphorical two-finger salute to those angered by the decision to fell Cockadoodle is instead a nod to the area, as the picturesque stream which runs directly in front of the cottage is similarly lined by gargoyles and other stone effigies.
However, it has not been enough to quell some of the anger which has spread.
Maggie Wynne, 84, who lives around the corner, said: ‘Everyone was really annoyed when it was cut down because it is such a well-known sight in the village.
‘It had stood there for over 100 years and featured on postcards and anything depicting the village, but it was cut down because they got fed up with it.’
Cockadoodle, pictured in 2016 with Richard Harper, the former owner of the Grade II-listed cottage to which it belongs
The topiary spectacle is no more after it was cut down in 2024 by the cottage's current owners as it was blocking light and threatening the foundations
In its place now is a fearsome-looking stone gargoyle, placed to reflect similar statues which are placed along the beck running in front of the property
But she bears no long-standing ill will.
‘The couple who bought the cottage are very nice and have made a real effort to be part of village life, so people tend to forget their annoyance over time and any resentment about it has passed,’ she added.
Villager Ken Barker, who is in his 80s, said: ‘Of course it is sad to see something which has stood for over 120 years disappear from the village, it was such a part of Bishop Monkton, especially for those of us who, like me, have lived here over 50 years
‘But that has to be balanced against the problems it was causing the owners of the home, with roots encroaching on the property and light being blocked. I can completely understand why they did it.’
His wife Jennifer was less forgiving. She said: ‘It should not have been cut down, it was a cornerstone of the village, a focal point and a real landmark.’
Cockadoodle was cut down in 2024 when Linda Cooper, who purchased the chocolate-box cottage for £465,000 in 2021, realised with her partner Dave Molyneux that the roots were undermining the foundations of the cottage and the giant shrub was blocking the light.
They did not need planning permission from the parish council – but contacted them anyway – as Cockadoodle was regarded as a hedge rather than a tree.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ms Cooper said: ‘The cockerel was so close to the windows that it was actually touching the house and it was making it very dark, so we had to take some action.
‘We were careful to go through proper channels and we asked for the advice of the British Topiary Society in how to remove it properly and they were glad to help.’
Asked about any backlash, she claimed: ‘We have not had a negative response… a lot of people have told us that it has improved the appearance of the place.
‘It is a beautiful cottage and unfortunately the cockerel was overgrown and we felt the best thing was to remove it.’
The cockerel has been a fixture of the village for well over 100 years. Pictured here in 1916
It was often decorated for special occasions, such as King George V's Silver Jubilee in 1935
Cockadoodle displayed an impressive plumage when this photograph was taken in 1990
Ken Barker and his wife Jennifer said they were sad the cockerel was no longer watching over the village but understood the reasoning behind the new owner's decision
Dean Culshaw, the chairman of Bishop Monkton Parish Council confirmed that it did not need any official approval before it was cut down.
‘The owner was quite at liberty to do what he did, I understand it was cutting off a lot of light and the parish council had no position on it,’ he said.
‘I think it's fair to say that people were sad about it… some people felt it was a shame.
‘It had been there a long time and on the way to village hall there is a map showing the village and the cockerel was on there because it was a bit of a landmark, but it is no longer and it had to be taken off.’
For a number of years, Cockadoodle was lovingly maintained by the cottage’s previous owner, Richard Harper, who purchased the property with his wife, Tina, in 2007.
In 2016, the retired auctioneer told the Mail how he spent 11 hours over several days each August tending to the hedge and trying to maintain its shape.
Prior to the Harpers, it was looked after by the family of former next-door neighbour Rodney Wilson for around a century.
Mr Wilson believed it was first cut into the cockerel shape in the 1890s and told how it had been decorated for big events such as King George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935.
Speaking a decade ago, he said: ‘Hopefully it will be around for many years to come.’
Asked last week about the decision to chop Cockadoodle down, Mrs Harper, the cottage’s former owner, remained diplomatic.
‘We have our views but would rather not share them,’ she said. ‘We've moved on.’