Wigan Album

A good likeness of a Barn Owl too Barrie, and well deserving to be on show.

I say short eared owl as barn owls don't have ear tufts

I've looked up Owls and you're right about the ear tufts Wigan Mick in Orbit, though the tufts of a short eared are typically to be more clearly seen when the Owl is alarmed and thus making itself appear bigger, also with the ear tufts more at either side rather than more central to the Owls head, it could also be a long eared Owl.
https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/forestry-england-calling-out-rare-and-elusive-long-eared-owls

A pity The Owl at Upholland is closed because that was a good Owl to seek out and linger awhile, and was a lot warmer too than looking for Owls in woods.

Whatever it is still a great wood carving

Lovely memento to have Barrie of your father and of Standish. Skilfully carved.
Cyril, I didn't know that the Owl at Upholland had closed, it must be 20 years since I was last in but remember it as a friendly cosy place. So sad that another old and historic pub has bit the dust.

No idea as to when it closed Colin, but it's a business now, Mick put a photo of it on the site somewhere, or it was shown on a photo that he'd taken of another property on School Lane, and yes it was a good pub and it would have been in the 1970s the last time I'd have called in there.

You are more likely right with a Short Eared Owl on the carving Mick, as accordingly Long Eared Owls are rarely seen up here and are mostly down south and in Europe.