First puffins unveiled in Bempton, Flamborough, Sewerby and Bridlington as part of East Yorkshire animal sculpture trail.
A public art event which makes puffins the stars of stories of conservation, global warming and green energy has taken off with the installation of the first sculptures in a trail stretching along the coast of East Yorkshire.
Organisers of Puffins Galore! placed the first sculptureat the RSPB Centre at Bempton, home to almost half a million seabirds which cram onto the cliffs every year. The second puffin was installed at North Landing, Flamborough, with another in the centre of the village and a fourth at Sewerby Hall.
From there the installation team from Hull-based Strata Group – one of the sponsors of the project – headed into Bridlington, where 10 sculptures will be displayed. During the rest of the week the remaining puffins will be delivered to coastal locations in Hornsea, Withernsea and Spurn Point as well as to inland sites at Patrington, Hull, Beverley and Cottingham.
On Saturday 2 July, once all 42 puffins are in place, the Puffins Galore! website will officially launch the trail by posting details of every location and pictures of every design.
Rick Welton, co-director of Puffins Galore!, said: “Seeing our puffins settling into their new homes is the reward for months of hard work by so many people involved in the project and we are immensely grateful to all of them.
“There’s the factory in Poland where a lot of the manufacturing had to stop because some of the workers are from Ukraine, the artists across the region who came up with some wonderful designs and fantastic paintwork, the sponsors who have supported the project in such difficult times and the delivery teams who have covered hundreds of miles dropping off plinths and puffins.”
Rick and Puffins Galore! project manager and co-director Clare Huby were both involved in the hugely successful Larkin with Toads in 2010 and the follow-up A Moth for Amy in 2016.
The initial investment and support was provided by key partner Yorkshire Coast BID and project partner Visit East Yorkshire with the aim of raising the area’s profile as a tourist destination.
Artists submitted more than 150 designs in response to a brief setting out three core themes of endangered wildlife of the coasts and seas, the global warming crisis and the growth of green energy, and people and stories of the East Yorkshire coast.
Sarah Dalton, who combines her work as an artist with a day job in the Solo Hair Salon in Hull’s Old Town, designed and painted the first puffin, “The Balance of Threat and Hope”, in close collaboration with a private sponsor who also worked with her on A Moth for Amy.
Sarah said: “The puffin was delivered to my house and just stood in the corner for a week and a half watching us before I got to it. I took a week off work and plugged away at it. I did some pre-experiments to capture what I wanted.
“I wanted it to look completely normal from a distance. Then, as you get closer to it, you see the line drawings coming through and the flecks of glitter reflecting the hidden message of human impact. During lockdown I struggled with creativity but the puffin project has given me some focus again.”
Saffron Waghorn, who is based at Skipsea, designed and painted “Migration ‘The Dance of Life’ ”, which has been placed next to the cafe at Flamborough’s North Landing, and also worked with students at East Riding College in Bridlington on their puffin, “Protect Our Mother Earth”.
Saffron said: “Mine is about the birds that migrate, such as swifts and swallows, and highlights how hard their life is and their journey to reproduce and survive. But it’s not just puffins, it’s all sorts of creatures that are up against global warming.
“If I wasn’t an artist I would be doing something around conservation, maybe breeding whooping cranes! I am allabout wildlife and alternative energy. I live my life in an environmentally friendly way.
“I think this is the best project of its kind so far. The painting is phenomenal and the designs are out of this world. They really are fantastic and everybody has excelled themselves. There are artists who previously worked on the toads and the moths and who have built up their skills. You can see how they have grown through their careers, and there is a lot of passion because of the themes.
“I worked with five students at East Riding College. It took them a while to get into the idea of what was needed, what we were trying to achieve, but once the puffins arrived they were getting the paint out and I think they have addressed some of the very important issues behind the project.”
Twin sisters, Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt, who work as illustrators from their baseBurton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire, designed “Buccaneer”, which will standoutside Bridlington Spa, and “Memories of the Seaside”, which is in Cottingham.
Phillippa said: “Buccaneer wears an eyepatch, striped trousers and tail-coat, decorated with oceanic patterns. There is even a pirate ship, legendary kraken and pieces of eight featured on this eye-catching design. As artists, we aim to evoke all the myths and legends from down the years along the Yorkshire coast.”
“Memories of the Seaside” was inspired by sticks of rock. Rachael said: “This design celebrates the history of this confectionery made locally in East Yorkshire. It features patterns of sweet treats and candy, bright colours, swirls and a whole host of lovely memories.”
Sponsors and partners include businesses and other organisations from across East Yorkshire and further afield.
James Storrie of Bridlington Spa said: “We loved the Buccaneer design and, placed alongside our seafront location, he makes the perfect companion.”
J R Rix & Sons, a sixth-generation family business with its roots firmly in East Yorkshire, is looking to the future by sponsoring two puffins – one in the name of its Victory Leisure Homes business and the other named after the Lagoon, the ambitious development to transform the waterfront in Hull.
Shirin Kemp of Victory Leisure Homes, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Puffins Galore programme along with our parent company J R Rix & Sons. As a local family business, we wanted to help raise awareness of the importance of green energy and environmental issues, but also be part of this wonderful sculpture trail that aims to bring together families and the community.”
Paul Hatley, project director of Lagoon Hull, said: “East Yorkshire is incredibly lucky to be able to host such diverse wildlife and puffins are the jewels in the crown. With our own aims to provide space for nature to thrive as part of our transformative Lagoon project, supporting Puffins Galore! was an easy choice
Tracey Murray, head of curriculum for creative arts and digital skills at East Riding College, said: “East Riding College are delighted to be involved in the Puffins Galore! project. It has been a unique opportunity for our art students to get involved in a community installation that has kicked off their careers as professional artists.”
The City Healthcare Partnership (CHCP) in Hull sponsored “Don’t be a Dodo”, which was designed by Josh Ibbotson and The Junior Design Factory in Hull and will stand at Seathorne in Withernsea.
Lucy Flower of the CHCP said: “We love Josh’s design! It’s colourful and beautiful but also has a serious educational message about the evolution of life on our planet. We are so excited that this will be a CHCP Puffin.”
Clare Huby said the puffins will remain in place until the end of October before being sold either to their sponsors or at a grand charity auction which will raise funds for Hornsea Inshore Rescue, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, RNLIand the RSPB.
Clare said: “Having worked on Larkin with Toads and A Moth for Amy we know how much the public enjoy animal sculpture trails and we’re bracing ourselves for an exciting week and a social media frenzy as people see the puffins in their new homes.
“We’re confident people will take to the highways and by-ways of East Yorkshire to track down the puffins, take in some of the region’s tourist attractions and swamp us with selfies!”
Kerry Carruthers, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Coast BID said: “Being able to support projects like Puffins Galore! that make art and education about wildlife accessible for people of all ages along the Yorkshire Coast is fantastic! The talent involved in designing the Puffins alone is worth celebrating, and we encourage everyone to make the discovery of these a must do activity this summer.”
Councillor Jane Evison, East Riding of Yorkshire Council portfolio holder for economic growth and tourism, said : “I am delighted that Visit East Yorkshire is a project partner in this exciting Puffins Galore initiative, celebrating an iconic feature of the East Yorkshire coast, and helping to boost tourism still further. This is a great idea, and these giant puffins add a whole new dimension to a trip to our wonderful resorts and attractions. I feel sure they will bring many visitors to the area.”
To find out more about Puffins Galore! and to download the puffin spotter’s guide and other information which will go live on Saturday 2 July please visit http://puffinsgalore.co.uk/
See below for details of the names, artists, sponsors and locations of all 42 sculptures on the Puffins Galore! trail.
01. THE BALANCE OF THREAT AND HOPE
Artists: Sarah Dalton
Sponsor: Private Sponsor
Location: Bempton RSPB Visitor Centre,
Bempton YO15 1JF
02. COASTY THE PUFFIN
Artist: Emma Barnsley
Sponsor: Yorkshire Coast BID
Location: Cameron Gardens, Tower
Street, Flamborough YO15 1PD
03. MIGRATION “THE DANCE OF LIFE”
Artist: Saffron Waghorn
Sponsor: Jadan Press Limited
Location: Flamborough North Landing
YO15 1BJ
04. BUTTERFLY CITY
Artist: Kathleen Smith
Sponsor: Sewerby Hall and Gardens
Location: Sewerby Hall, towards
entrance booth, Sewerby YO15 1ED
05. CLIFF
Artists: Kathleen Smith
Sponsor: West Building Supplies Ltd
Location: North Marine Promenade
Land Train Terminus, Bridlington
YO15 2LX
06. STARLET PUFFIN
Artist: Emily Jayne Kaan
Sponsor: Bonus Electrical Group
Location: North Marine Drive,
Bridlington YO15 2JF
07. CLOWNS OF THE SEA
Artists: Pip Claffey
Sponsor: R.O.B.O.T.
Location: Old Town Market Place,
Bridlington YO16 4PN
08. STORIES FROM THE COAST
Artist: Kelly Hambly
Sponsor: Hudgell Solicitors
Location: The Bayle Museum forecourt,
Bridlington YO16 7JT
09. PROTECT OUR MOTHER EARTH
Artist: Saffron Waghorn and Students
of East Riding College
Sponsor: East Riding College
Location: St Mary’s Walk, Bridlington
YO16 7JW
10. COME RAIN OR SHINE
Artist: Carolyn Short
Sponsor: Designs Signage Solutions Ltd
Location: Fort Terrace/Regents Terrace,
Bridlington YO15 2PD
11. KELP
Artist: Hannah Van Green
Sponsor: Victory Leisure Homes Ltd
Location: Garrison Square, Bridlington
YO15 2NW
12. BRIDLINGTON – LOBSTER CAPITAL
Artist: Emma Beaumont
Sponsor: Lloyd Dowson Limited
Location: Chicken Run, Bridlington
YO15 3AN
13. BUCCANEER
Artists: Rachael & Phillipa Corcutt
Sponsor: Bridlington Spa
Location: Bridlington Spa, South Marine
Drive, Bridlington YO15 3JH
14. SWIM DIVE CATCH
Artists: Joy Verda & Pupils of New
Pasture Lane Primary School, Bridlington
Sponsor: KCOM
Location: Paddling Pool, Princess Mary
Promenade, Bridlington YO15 3LG
15. CLUE-ELLA PUFFINELLA
Artists: Michela Goodale-Truelove
Sponsor: Mr Moo’s Yorkshire Dairy
Ice Cream
Location: Mr Moo’s, Hornsea Road,
Skipsea YO25 8SY (Off map)
16. LIGHTBULB MOMENT
Artist: Hannah Watson
Sponsor: Boston Energy
Location: North Promenade, Hornsea
HU18 1NQ
17. NUFFIN’ FOR THE PUFFIN
Artist: OJamin
Sponsor: The Brignall Family
Location: Floral Hall Sensory Garden,
Hornsea HU18 1NQ
18. PUFFIN POWER
Artist: Lynn Hollingsworth
Sponsor: City Health Care Partnership CIC
Location: Promenade, Hornsea
HU18 1NJ
19. SEA HEROES
Artist: Wall Things Bright & Beautiful
(Katy Cobb)
Sponsor: Cranswick Convenience Food
Location: Promenade gardens, Hornsea
HU18 1NJ
20. PERCY PUFFIN LITTER PICKER
Artist: Amanda Quellin
Sponsor: Hornsea Hub
Location: Hornsea Hub, Hornsea
HU18 1RU
21. LIGHTHOUSES
Artist: Leo Welton
Sponsor: HETA
Location: South Promenade, Hornsea
HU18 1TJ
22. DON’T BE A DODO
Artists: Josh Ibbotson
Sponsor: City Health Care Partnership CIC
Location: Seathorne, Withernsea
HU19 2BB
23. GIVE SEAS A CHANCE
Artist: Maisie Baker
Sponsor: Bruce Ryan Homes
Location: North Promenade,
Withernsea HU19 2DP
24. CAN HE KNIT’ YES HE GANSEY
Artist: Rebecca Morledge
Sponsor: Withernsea Town Council
Location: Memorial Gardens,
Withernsea HU19 2HH
25. NEST BUILDERS WELL SPOTTED
Artist: Kate Eggleston-Wirtz
Sponsor: Active Withernsea
Location: Lifeboat Station,
Withernsea HU19 2HU
26. WINDY WITHERNSEA
Artist: Withernsea’s Young ‘Puffin Crew’
Sponsor: University of Hull, Energy
and Environment Institute
Location: South Promenade,
Withernsea
27. WINNIE
Artist: Jemma Brown
Sponsor: Alex Alec-Smith Books
Location: St Patrick’s Green, Patrington
HU12 0RA
28. BEMBO
Artists: Tony Schultz
Sponsor: Centrica Storage Limited
Location: Dimlington Road, Easington
HU12 0TG
29. AMY’S LIGHT
Artist: Emma Garness
Sponsor: Amy Johnson Arts Trust
Location: Spurn footpath, near YWT
Discovery Centre car park, Kilnsea
HU12 0UH
30. OCEAN’S ELEVEN
Artists: Tracy Willis
Sponsor: The Deep
Location: The Deep, Hull HU1 4DP
31. LAGOON PUFFIN
Artist: Domanic Li
Sponsor: RIX Petroleum
Location: Humber Quays, Hull HU1 2BN
32. LIFEBOATS AND LIGHTHOUSES
Artist: Gordon Banks
Sponsor: Wykeland Beal
Location: Blanket Row, Hull HU1 1AX
33. PORCELAIN COAST
Artist: Hollie Van De Vyver
Sponsor: CR Reynolds
Location: Beverley Gate, Hull HU1 2BP
34. TURBULENT TIDES
Artist: Jasmine Hale
Sponsor: Segal’s Jewellers
Location: Carr Lane, Hull HU1 3RF
35. YORKSHIRE’S CATCH OF THE DAY
Artist: Eleanor Sofia Walker
Sponsor: Hammonds of Hull
Location: Paragon Square,
Hull HU1 3JZ
36. HEADSCARF REVOLUTIONARY
Artist: Susan J. Woolhouse
Sponsor: Hull Maritime
Location: Victoria Square, Hull HU1 3ND
37. HUMAN IMPACT
Artists: Hayley Young
Sponsor: Harmony Energy
Location: King Street, Cottingham
HU16 5QG
38. MEMORIES OF THE SEASIDE
Artist: Rachael and Phillippa Corcutt
Sponsor: Sewell on the Go
Location: Hallgate Crossroads, Cottingham
HU16 4BD
39. STAR GANSEY
Artist: Claire West
Sponsor: Wat’s On Fashion and Risby Fishing.
Location: Folly Lake Cafe,
Risby Fishing Ponds, Risby
HU17 8SS (Off map)
40. WHERE SEA MEETS SHORE
Artist: Evie Grace Caldwell
Sponsor: Wykeland
Location: Flemingate,
Beverley HU17 0QN
41. WRECKED PUFFIN
Artist: Graham Scott
Sponsor: Strata Holdings
Location: Treasure House, Beverley
HU17 8HE
42. BEVERLEY NIGHTLIFE
Artist: Wall Things Bright & Beautiful
(Katy Cobb)
Sponsor: Guest & Philips Jewellers
Location: Saturday Market, Beverley
HU17 8BB
