In June 2007 17 local artists, environmentalists, and canoeists recreated the 1877 voyage down the Thames
River of William Lees Judson and Paul Peel, his young art student.
To commemorate this voyage and to celebrate the heritage of the Thames River, Paul Cottle is carving the
images from the route on a white ash tree, which fell on the London property of noted international artist, Philip Aziz. The
tree has been dubbed The Thames River Heritage Tree.
Under the auspices of the Philip Aziz Foundation for the Arts, the 21-foot, 5-tonne tree is being carved
in the Rona store on Wonderland Road North, London, Ontario and will ultimately find its home in the Covent Garden Market.
It will also be going to Ottawa for the 25th aniversary of Canadian Heritage Rivers Systems.
You're welcome to come out to Rona and visit Paul and see the progress of the tree!
