TRAVELLING woodcarvers who set up camp in Upper Beeding moved on last week, following a short-term stay agreed with West Sussex County Council.
The group, which included Simon Vaughan, 45, who is well-known in the West Country, camped by the roadside next to High Trees car park on the A283 for several weeks and have now set up base in Pulborough.
They did good business, selling their woodcarvings, including the animals Simon carves out of wood using a chainsaw.
David Barling, West Sussex county councillor for Bramber Castle, said the group had left the site without any problems.
He added: “I was very pleased with them for leaving the site so clean and tidy.
“I was therefore grateful that we didn’t have to spend further money carrying out rubbish removal after they had gone.”
Mr Barling had previously described it as a ‘most appalling sight”, but explained he had mainly been referring to the giant 10ft mushroom, which he had objected to because of the way it looked.
“Their other works of art were actually quite good,” he added.
The experience in Upper Beeding was very different to that of Shoreham residents, who were left with a trail of mess when a large group of travellers moved into Middle Road recreation ground overnight.
Paul Graysmark, Adur district councillor, said bags of rubbish were strewn across the park when they left for Hove on August 23 and the ground of Shoreham Football Club next door had been used as a public toilet.