Heavy weight cattle and sheep sculptures will be installed next year - if plans get approved
Sculptures aimed to celebrate the town’s livestock markets could be unveiled early next year say organisers - if planners give the green light.
Spalding Civic Society is looking to install sheep and some heavy weight cattle statues in the town’s Sheep Market and New Road as part of it’s MARK-IT project - which it hopes will be a visitor attraction to the area.
The society has received UK Shared Prosperity Funding for the project and has recenty lodged a planning application with South Holland District Council, as we have previously reported.
Work to install the statues is hoped to start in January next year with a grand unveiling in February - plus there are plans to hold public engagement sessions.
In a statement the society says: “The new trail will celebrate the livestock markets that took place in Spalding as well as the continuing important role that South Holland plays in the nation’s food supply.
“The final proposals for Sheep Market consist of a group of six sheep sculptures carved in white Cadeby Limestone and one black sheep carved in Kilkenny Limestone. All seven sculptures will be based on the Lincolnshire Long Wool breed of sheep.
“The group of six white sheep will be sited in the pedestrianised area of Sheep Market, whilst the black sheep will be set apart from the main flock. Each sheep will be 500mm wide x 650mm high x 1000mm long weighing 800kgs.
“The final proposals for New Road consist of a bull and cow based on the Lincoln Red cattle breed erected on a plinth 150mm above ground level. The sculptures will be carved in cove red sandstone. The bull will be 750mm wide x 1400mm high x 2400mm long weighing approximately 6.1 tonnes, whilst the cow will be 700mm wide x 1300mm high x 2200mm long weighing approximately 5.5 tonnes.
“The New Road site was chosen because this was where twice weekly cattle auctions were held until October 11 1938, after when a purpose built livestock market opened on the site of Sainsbury’s.”
Sculptor Graeme Mitcheson has altered his concept for the cattle sculptures after getting close to a pure bred Lincoln Red bull and cow over the summer.
The society statement also adds: “As part of the commission, there will be a series of public engagement events in multiple venues in the Spalding area. Details of these will be announced shortly.
“The society is working in partnership with Transported Art and the South Holland District Council, and this next stage of the MARK-IT project has been made possible by a combination of funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Arts Council England and substantial private donations to the society.”
A number of artworks are being planned for the town centre which include the £35,000 flower parade mural in Abbey Passage, natural artworks as part of the £220,000 Spalding Reconnected scheme.
There are also a number of art installations in the town including the ARTeFACT project, which brought together Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, Transported and Electric egg.
Andy Lambert posted on our Facebook page: “Maybe complete Abbey Passage first as you already have the money for that.”
Doug Ricketts asked: “What idiot came up with that one? Possibly the same one pushing for the so called artwork down p*ss alley. When will this madness end, spend our money on things that really matter?”
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