The rock snake in Alcester that gets longer every day
HE’S got big eyes, a pink hissing tongue and he’s getting longer every day.
Roscoe the Rock Snake can be found in Alcester and he’s taken up residence during the summer holidays.
Roscoe loves nothing more than eating rocks, in fact rock cake is his favourite.
Alcester resident, Mandy Royer, came up with the idea of putting some painted rocks on a path near her home and invited families with young children to paint a rock or two and add them to Roscoe. He now snakes along the path and at last count numbered 66 rocks long.
Mandy told the Herald: “I knew I wanted to do a community project for the children during the six-week holidays as from personal experience I know how difficult it can be to keep them occupied. I wish I could say I came up with the initial idea but I found this suggestion on good old Google. It’s the first time I have made a rock snake. I have painted pebbles and rocks in the past as I love to paint and craft.”
Rock painting became popular in communities during Covid and the fun it creates bringing people together has endured. Mandy – who is a carer by profession - has been thrilled by the response.
Mandy said: “I started Roscoe off by finding a snake shaped head rock and painting a face on it and I also added a couple more to his body to give him a starting point. I then made a sign inviting children to paint a rock and add it to Roscoe’s body. I update posts each week on social media with his progress and add photos of the newly placed rocks.
“The response has been magical. My husband and I both love to see children come by to check on Roscoe’s progress and place their rocks. The response on social media has also been very touching from parents and adults alike. Some rocks are big and some small and some with very beautiful sticky hair!”
Her initial thought was that Roscoe would be a six-week project but because of the response from families she’s now working on what will happen to him when the summer holidays are over.
In the meantime, why is he called Roscoe?
“Roscoe is a Cornish name. My husband and I lived in Cornwall for four years and he was born in Cornwall hence the Cornish name which we think suits him well,” Mandy said.
Roscoe can be found on a grassed area bordering a path on the corner of Fairwater Cresent at the start of Alcocks Road, Alcester, hence his wiggly shape.
