Superhero sculptures battered by wicked wind in Newtown

THEY fought courageously in the battle against Storm Ellen, but even Newtownstewart’s giant superheroes of hay sustained mild damage when she unleashed her mighty wrath last Wednesday night.

Happily though, members of the Two Castles Community Association, who recently set up the hay-roic heroes, spent the weekend fixing up the minor damage caused to the gargantuan 12 foot structures, including replacing one bale of hay, correcting the props, brushing off the dirt, and touching up the paintwork.

The wicked winds also scattered the superheroes’ posters featuring important coronavirus-related advice across the field and nearby road, but thankfully, all but one were safely retrieved by valiant volunteers.

And Shauneen Kilpatrick from Newtownstewart, who devised the initial concept of the hay-roic bales, also graciously gave Supergirl a brand new outfit to spare her blushes after her dress was blown off!

A spokesperson from the community association said while the damage caused was unfortunate, the superheroes are now ready to assemble once more to fight an even greater enemy than Storm Ellen: Covid-19.

“We created the superheroes to bring smiles to the faces of children and adults alike,” they said. “It is a shame that Storm Ellen damaged them, but the repercussions could have been a lot worse, so we feel very lucky. However, we have no idea how the storm managed to blow Supergirl’s dress away, as it was tied tight to the bales with wire.

“But after spending the weekend fixing the hay bales up, the superheroes are ready once more to inspire everyone who sees them, and show people that even though there is a virus, there are important steps we can take to help keep ourselves and others safe.”

• The superheroes spectacle is located in John Gallagher’s field on the Newtownstewart bypass/Strabane Road, and all proceeds raised by visitors will go to the cancer ward in Altnagelvin Hospital and the Patient Comfort and Terminally Ill Fund in Newtownstewart.