You may have been puzzled by the Hippo as you approached Summerleaze Village.   This is her story.

Because of legalities of the land, the original access to North Maidenhead Cricket Club had to be closed, leaving the Club in danger of foldng, despite all options being explored.   No answer to the problem could be found until Summerleaze Limited decided to build the existing road and bridge as access to the Cricket Club, at a cost of around £250,000.    This was funded from Summerleaze's landfill tax credits, the Environment Agency and Summerleaze themselves. 

During this period the managing director of Summerleaze, Peter Prior, visited Uganda where he was deeply moved by the poverty all around him and bemused by the imbalance of wealth throughout the world wondered "How far would £250,000 go in Uganda?"

Our Hippo is there to remind us all how lucky we are to be playing football at Summerleaze Village and TO REMEMBER THOSE IN FAR OFF LANDS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN OURSELVES.   That is the reason that "Unless", that is the Hippo's name, stays guard in her field.    And a good guard she is because, and it is worth remembering this, more people are drowned by Hippos each year than are killed by sharks!!!!!!!.    Treat her well and with respect.

The sculpture is by Kenneth Roboertson, Peter Prior's brother-in-law, and forged by Pangolin Editions of Stroud