Latest news with #StampedeByTheSea
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Auctioned elephant statue donated back to Bridport
One of a group of 30 painted elephant statues sold at auction has been donated back to a Dorset moulded fibreglass herd spent two months on display at outdoor locations in west Dorset as part of a family trail, entitled Stampede by the Sea, to raise money for Weldmar elephant called Ropey - named after Bridport's rope-making history - was bought by a local holiday company and donated to the town's council said it would tour Ropey around the area for photo opportunities to raise more money for the hospice. 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 asked for suggestions for any potential host 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, anonymous buyer paid the top price of £25,000 for an elephant called Sanctuary, painted with images of wildlife and statue, featuring images of Dorset figures ranging from author Thomas Hardy to BBC Radio Solent presenter Steve Harris, fetched £20, 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.
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Artist Phillip Sutton creates work for Stampede by the Sea trail
A partially-sighted Royal Academy artist has created the first of more than 50 elephant sculptures for a spring arts trail on the Dorset Sutton, 95, produced and painted Ponty for the Stampede by the Sea trail, which will see the baby elephants placed at locations across Bridport, West Bay and Lyme renowned British artist, known for his vibrant use of colour and expressive style, said creating the statue "was a joy", adding: "I shall miss Ponty when he goes."The art trail is intended to raise funds and awareness for Weldmar Hospicecare in Dorchester, which provides specialised end-of-life care for adults with life-limiting illnesses. 'Personal experience' Now in his 10th decade, Sutton continues to make significant contributions to the art world despite being partially sighted. His long career has seen numerous solo exhibitions worldwide and works held in public collections such as The Tate. Each elephant sculpture will be auctioned off by Duke's Auctions at the end of the trail, with proceeds directly supporting the hospice's designs of the other elephants are yet to be unveiled but it has been revealed that Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast host, Steve Harris, appears on one by cartoonist Lyndon charity is looking for local businesses to apply to sponsor an elephant, with many of the smaller elephants going to local said: "I named the elephant Ponty after the French philosopher [Maurice Merleau-Ponty] as I found him quite inspirational. "Art is such a personal experience and we express ourselves by how we dress and how we behave but I try to leave my beliefs and politics behind when I paint."When I paint, I express my personality through my art. Working on Ponty for Weldmar's Stampede By The Sea was a joy and I shall miss Ponty when he goes."April Whitehead, from Weldmar Hospicecare, said the trail aimed to "bring the community together through creativity and compassion". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
