Images unveiled of new sheep and cattle statues which could be installed in Spalding

Images of the statues which are hoped to celebrate our heritage and draw more visitors to the town have been unveiled.

Sculptor Graeme Mitcheson, from Leicestershire, has been selected to bring livestock back to Spalding as part of the new MARK-IT trial and his visions for sheep and cattle statues have now been shared.

Spalding Civic Society and Transported Arts are working together on the latest trail to be created in the town which aims to celebrate the livestock markets which were once commonplace in the town.

This scheme, which has received £43,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is hoped to ‘instill pride and interest in Spalding’s market heritage’.

Sheep sculptures are intended to be sited in the Sheep Market while the cattle will be placed in New Road, where these animals were traditionally auctioned until the move to the purpose-built Cattle Market in 1938 – which is now Sainsbury’s car park.

A statement issued by the society said: “Models and computer images of his first thoughts for the town-centre cattle and sheep were displayed at the society’s recent AGM. At this early stage there will be further discussion and site visits before designs are finalised.

“As part of the commission, Graeme is hoping to run a series of stone carving workshops in multiple venues in the Spalding area. As well as offering the public the opportunity to discuss the sculpture with Graeme, they will have the opportunity to design and create a miniature stone artwork which they will be able to keep, a permanent souvenir of the project that will last for decades.

“If any community group or school is interested in hosting a workshop, they are asked to contact the society or Transported.”

This trail is aimed to celebrate the area’s livestock heritage through mosaics, sculptures, and murals in the town centre.

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