Witton Lodge Leads the Charge for Bulls in The City!
The Witton Lodge Bull and Calf are charging into Birmingham from 16 July as part of the brilliant Bulls in the City Trail.
Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) is very proud to sponsor this fantastic project which aims to get people and communities across Birmingham bull-ieving in the connecting power of creativity.
From July 16 to September 14 Birmingham’s latest interactive arts trail will see 40 large bull and 88 smaller calf fibre-glass sculptures take up residence on city streets.
WITTON LODGE DYNAMIC DUO
We have two incredible, eye-catching sculptures on the trail for people to meet – Work Hard Play Hard is a magnificent bull who will be grazing on Boldmere Road while Rebull, our adorable calf, will be watching the world go by at Millennium Point.
We’re thrilled to have local artists Reilly Creative design and paint for Witton Lodge! Based in Erdington, Lynsey and Kieron are well-known for creating beautiful bespoke murals for homes, schools, and businesses. They’ve also painted numerous sculptures featured on public art trails across the UK.
Jo Townsend of Witton Lodge shared her enthusiasm, “We are absolutely thrilled to be part of the Bulls in the City trail and especially pleased to be working with local artists Reilly Creative, who have designed and painted our bull and calf.
“Lynsey and Kieron have been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with, and we’re genuinely excited to have connected with such talented creatives in our local community. Their creativity has truly brought our project to life, and we are proud to celebrate local talent making a national impact.”
Chair of WLCA, Linda Hines MBE, said the Bulls in The City Initiative goes to the very heart of what Witton Lodge stands for.“At the heart of it all, it’s about bringing people together across our vibrant city, and we are so proud that our amazing bull and calf will help connect people with each other and with this wonderful art trail.
“Having previously supported The Big Hoot and The Big Sleuth, we are delighted to be part of the Bulls in the City trail this summer, and we are excited to follow the journey of everyone that meets our wonderful bull and calf, Work Hard Play Hard and Rebull.”
NOT OUR FIRST RODEO!
A little known fact is that Witton Lodge played a key role in saving a piece of Birmingham’s ‘bull’ history now displayed at Witton Lakes Eco Hub: the original prototype of the Bullring Bull! When the bull’s wire frame was about to be confiscated, WLCA stepped in, launching a knitting project, and invited locals to help transform it. Now known as “Bully,” the wicker-wrapped bull has become a beloved symbol of creativity and community spirit at the Eco Hub.
The Bulls in the City trail arrives in Birmingham courtesy of Wild in Art, who organise and orchestrate art trails up and down the country. It is the first to be based on Laurence Broderick’s world famous bronze Bullring bull which has stood outside the city’s iconic shopping centre since it opened in 2003 and was designed to symbolise the strength, persistence and determination of its population.
In 2015 we supported The Big Hoot art trail which saw a number of owl sculptures take nest across the city to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Two years later, we got involved in The Big Sleuth, a similar art trail but this time using bear sculptures (another fundraiser for the Children’s hospital.)
At the end of this years trail, many of the sculptures will will be auctioned off to raise money for the project’s charity partner, Birmingham Hospice, formerly the John Taylor Hospice, located in the area we serve – Erdington.
FOLLOW THE HERD & GET INVOLVED WITH THE BULLS IN THE CITY APP
A special Bulls in The City rewards app has been developed to encourage people to engage with the trail and claim gifts and prizes. It’s easy to do, simply download the Bulls in the City App, and when you meet Rebull and Work Hard Play Hard, scan the QR code to access hidden rewards!
