There was excitement in Worcester’s Guildhall last night as the city’s latest public art trail was unveiled.
Staff from St Richard’s Hospice, who have spent months keeping the project under wraps, revealed The Great Waddle of Worcester will be coming in 2024.
Forty large penguin sculptures - one for each year the hospice has been working in Worcester - will find a home in the city for eight weeks next summer.
The penguin theme was revealed to guests last night (Thursday, March 24) by St Richard’s fundraising director Tricia Cavell and business development manager Sara Matthews, who has been leading the project.
There was an audible gasp from the audience as the theme was announced, followed by applause.
People then excitedly had their pictures taken with the first two penguins to have been painted - Spirit and Hoiho.
The hospice's fundraising director said penguins were chosen in part because they are “some of the most loveable and loyal creatures on the planet”.
READ MORE: Revealed! The animal sculptures waddling into Worcester for St Richard's trail
Mrs Matthews said the hospice’s previous trail, which saw elephants in iconic locations, gave Worcester a morale boost during the pandemic, as well as raising vital funds for the hospice.
Following a video highlights package of the 2021 trail, she said: “It is lovely looking back at the Big Parade.
“Our happy herd of elephants got the city smiling again. How could we not bring the trail back for a third time?”
The announcement was a proud moment for artist Jess Perrin, who has painted the first two penguins ahead of next year’s trail.
The Birmingham-based artist said: “I’ve been keeping this a secret since the beginning of January.
"I worked on the giraffes in 2018 and the elephants in 2021, doing some work keeping the sculptures in good condition.
“The designs represent everything St Richard’s does for its patients and for the community, how it keeps them going and how it celebrates life."
“I’ve worked on a few trails but Worcester is one of my favourites.”
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