Special event planned to celebrate unveiling of new sheep and cattle sculptures in Spalding
Sculptures which will celebrate a town’s rich agricultural heritage will be unveiled during a special event next month.
Spalding and District Civic Society is bringing sheep and cattle back to the town centre in the form of sculptures as part of it’s MARK-IT trail, which received £43,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Live music, artisan stalls and family art activities are being planned to celebrate the grand unveiling of this trail on Saturday, March 15, at 11am in Hall Place.
Society chairman John Bland is hoping that the new sculptures, which recognise the town’s livestock markets, will be interesting to tourists.
He said “I am delighted to see the first animals in this, the most ambitious element of the society’s long-running project come to fruition. The sculptures are very special and will significantly add to what the town has to offer to attract people from outside the area to visit the town.”
The sheep and cattle sculptures are not the only ones installed in the town by the society. The group was also responsible for The Hiring statue in Hall Place along with The Portrait of a Town figurines.
Six Lincoln Long Wool sheep sculptures, made from white Cadeby Limestone, will be installed in the Sheep Market.
A Lincoln Red bull and cow, made from red sand stone and together weigh over 12 tonnes, will be placed in New Road.
Sculptor Graeme Mitcheson said: “It has been a privilege to work on pieces that connect the past with the present. I can’t wait to see people’s reactions when the livestock return!”
The MARK-IT Trail is led by society, with support from Transported Arts and South Holland District Council.
“These sculptures represent a proud chapter of Spalding’s history” said Nick Jones, Transported’s Director. “We hope the event will bring the community together and spark new interest in the town’s heritage. Graeme has created wonderful sculptures with impressive detail”;
MP Sir John Hayes will be unveiling the statues.
