Auctioned elephant statue donated back to Bridport
In a statement, the town council said "huge thanks" to West Dorset Holiday Cottage for donating Ropey after paying £3,600 for her at the auction."We hope that her tour will raise more money for Weldmar Hospicecare and their vital services which hugely benefit our town," it said.It asked for suggestions for any potential host locations.The charity placed more than 50 elephants, painted by different artists, at locations in Bridport, Lyme Regis and West Bay in March.
They were auctioned off last week, raising more than £180,000.An anonymous buyer paid the top price of £25,000 for an elephant called Sanctuary, painted with images of wildlife and plants.Another statue, featuring images of Dorset figures ranging from author Thomas Hardy to BBC Radio Solent presenter Steve Harris, fetched £20,000.Derbyshire firm Wild In Art has created statues for trails around the country, with most of the figures being sold for good causes, raising more than £27m.
You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Masterchef contestant Penelope 'thrilled' show went ahead
The first contestant to leave this year's MasterChef says the latest series "should have been shown, absolutely" despite Hester, from Dorset, was the first to be eliminated from the series which was filmed before its presenters, Gregg Wallace and John Torode, were New Zealand-born writer, who lives in the north of the county, said: "Reality television lives and dies on its contestants and I was really thrilled it went ahead."She said she was now considering applying for other shows, including the Great British Bake Off and Great British Sewing Bee. Speaking on Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast show, she said: "I met the other contestants, and they're all absolutely delightful people and they come from all walks of life."I've been a presenter on a television show, so presenters come, they go. "But, you know, contestants are what reality television [is about], the guts of it."Ms Hester said she was initially relieved after being eliminated from the show, but disappointed not to make it to the quarter said: "I'd quite like to have a go at Bake Off and I also I sew."I quite like to have a go at the Sewing Bee as well."MasterChef presenters Wallace and Torode were dismissed last month after a report into conduct on the cooking show upheld complaints against BBC decided to broadcast the series, saying it was "the right thing to do" for the chefs who took part. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Guardian
7 days ago
- The Guardian
Father pays tribute to ‘hard-working family man' who died at Oasis concert
The father of a 'lifelong' Oasis fan who fell to his death at the band's concert at Wembley Stadium has said his whole family is devastated. Lee Claydon, 45, a landscape gardener from Bournemouth, Dorset, died on Saturday after reportedly falling from an upper tier at the stadium. His father, Clive Claydon, 75, paid tribute to 'a hard-working family man' who 'loved his kid'. 'He was a lovely bloke, loved to be with his family … He had everything going for him. I am so devastated,' he said. He said that Lee had gone to the concert with his brother and his brother's children, and may have drunk alcohol but had not taken any drugs. Claydon said: 'He doesn't take drugs, he may have had a couple of beers but who hadn't there? People have said horrible things but it was just an accident.' He added that he was concerned about the safety measures at Wembley. 'All I know is there was beer everywhere, it's slippery, he slipped apparently, we do not know the rest of it.' A fundraising page, which has been set up to help raise money for Lee's partner, Amanda, and son, Harry, has reached more than £7,000. Lee's brother Aaron Claydon wrote on the page: 'Our family has been turned upside down and are struggling to deal with this devastation and unexpected loss. Lee was a loving family man who was a role model to his son.' He described his brother as 'the man I have always looked up to'. He added: 'Lee would have done anything for any of us and he was taken from us far too soon, and we will miss him so very much.' A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: 'Wembley Stadium operates to a very high health and safety standard, fully meeting legal requirements for the safety of spectators and staff, and is certified to and compliant with the ISO 45001 standard. 'We work very closely and collaboratively with all relevant event delivery stakeholders – including event owners, local authorities, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and the police – to deliver events to high standards of safety, security and service for everyone attending or working in the venue.' The Health and Safety Executive has been informed. The Metropolitan police are asking for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone footage, to come forward. Oasis said in a statement on Sunday: 'We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show. Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.'
Telegraph
05-08-2025
- Telegraph
Pictured: Father who fell to his death at Oasis Wembley gig
An Oasis fan who fell to his death during the band's concert at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night has been named. Lee Claydon, a 41-year-old father of one, fell from the upper tier of the stadium at the sold-out gig. The landscape gardener, from Bournemouth, in Dorset, died at the scene. On Tuesday, Mr Claydon's family paid tribute to the 'loving family man'. In a GoFundMe post in his memory, his brother Aaron wrote: 'Our family has been turned upside down and are struggling to deal with this devastation and unexpected loss. 'Lee leaves behind his son, dad, partner, brothers, sisters, nephews and niece. Lee was a loving family man who was a role model to his son Harry and was loved so much by all his family. 'Lee would have done anything for any of us and he was taken from us far too soon, and we will miss him so very much.' Aaron Claydon said that he was raising money to support his brother's partner Amanda and son Harry, adding: 'Lee loved all outdoor activities, one of his favourite hobbies was fishing. 'He loved music and his guitar. He also really enjoyed going to watch and support the boys and his nephew at their football games. 'Amanda and the boys have our full support at this very sad time, which is why we would love to be able to help them financially as well as emotionally.' In a post on Facebook, Mr Claydon's partner wrote: 'I don't have many words right now, but it's not fair and it's not right that you're not here with us. 'But I will never stop loving you. My best friend and my soulmate and the other half (sensible and smarter half) of our one brain. 'I am so grateful to have spent the time we had even though this cruel world has cut it way too short. We had so much to look forward to. Love you so much, and missing you just doesn't cut it.' In a statement issued over the weekend, Liam and Noel Gallagher said they were 'shocked and saddened' by the tragedy. 'Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved,' they added. Before performing Live Forever at Sunday night's Wembley show, Liam told the crowd: 'This one's for all the people who can't be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean. And ain't they looking lovely.' A spokesman for London's Metropolitan Police said: 'At around 22:19 on Saturday Aug 2, officers on duty at Wembley Stadium for the Oasis concert responded alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service to reports that a person had been injured. 'A man in his 40s was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 'The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage. 'If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101, quoting 7985/02AUG.'
