Lions at Large – The Pride of Gloucestershire Trail has ‘roared’ onto the streets of Cheltenham and Gloucester!
There are 32 large Lion sculptures, painted by local artists; celebrating Gloucestershire’s rich history, culture and diversity. They are joined by our Cub Club – a pride of 54 little Lions lovingly created by local schools and community groups.
The Tyger
Sponsored by: Ontic
Location: High Street
A tiger-striped lion honouring William Blake’s poem and Cheltenham Oncology’s care. Personal and poignant, it merges feline majesty with familial tribute.
My lovely Dad was successfully treated at Cheltenham oncology over 15 years ago, but unfortunately died to Alzheimer’s complications a few years after treatment. So this is a very personal project to be involved in & I’m honoured to have 2 lions in the trail.
How do you stand out in a crowd of lions, by being a Tiger of course! A bit like how Cheltenham stands out in the crowd with their cancer care.
Now why spelt Tyger I hear you ask…. well… My dads favourite poem was The Tyger by William Blake, so it’s a little nod him as well.
Please enjoy the extract below. You can read the full poem here.
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat.
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
Look For Stars
Sponsored by: Mason and Stokes
Location: Minster Exchange
The Leo constellation gleams on a dark backdrop, quoting Wilde and MLK on finding light in darkness. A celestial nod to cancer support networks’ guiding hope.
Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars” and “When it’s dark, look for stars” is often attributed to Oscar Wilde. It is part of a longer phrase, “When it rains, look for rainbows, when it’s dark, look for stars”.
Both these quotes spoke to me in relation to the Big Space Cancer Appeal. It encourages finding hope and beauty even in difficult or challenging circumstances. Whether that be for the person diagnosed, the carers and family of those with cancer, or as the trusts nurses, doctors & support staff. Now which stars to choose. Being a lion it had to be the Leo constellation. Leos being know for their courage & strength. A message that Mason & Stokes really loved & part of why they chose my design.
