Tamworth’s perfect porkers have started popping up all over the borough in the prime locations that will be their new homes. A herd of 15 replica pigs, decorated by schools, community groups and businesses, are being trotted out across the town to create a unique ‘Trotters Trail’ in a major display of public art.

 

Inspired by the famous Tamworth Sandybacks, the spectacular piggies average three feet wide by three feet tall and will remain on display to residents and tourists throughout the summer.

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Tamworth Borough Council’s Street Scene staff have been busily placing the metal and wooden structures in strategic locations such as parks, community venues and roundabouts, where they will hopefully help bring home the bacon in the bid for a sixth Heart of England in Bloom gold accolade for the town.

 

Cllr Steve Claymore, Tamworth Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Economy, said: “The Trotters Trail has attracted plenty of publicity already, and we are hoping that people will enjoy looking at all of the various pigs once they are in place.

 

“So many different groups and organisations have been involved in this project and it’s great that they now get to see their artwork on display for the whole town. I for one will enjoy spotting the pigs on my journeys around the borough.”

 

Funded by Arts Council England, Trotters Trail is part of the massive 12-month I Am Tamworth project, organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team and designed to inspire people of all ages to embrace the arts and get creative in a variety of ways.

 

For this part of the initiative, the Arts & Events team joined forces with sculptor and industrial artist Luke Perry, who led workshops with each of the groups as they chose the themes and painted their pigs.

 

Custodians of the porkers were chosen on a first come, first served basis. Each unique pig has its own special characteristics and has been decorated in a style representing either the group which was tasked with painting it, or an element of Tamworth’s history.

 

The 15 Sandybacks, which have all been personalised with their own names, are being delivered to their new homes this week. A map of the Trotters Trail will be available from Tamworth Tourist Information Centre in Corporation Street from June 1. In the meantime, here is a list of who to look out for.

 

Bobby the Peeler. Decorated by the Peel Society and demonstrating the achievements of Sir Robert Peel. To be placed next to the Sir Robert Peel statue in Market Street.

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Hogred The Boar. Tamworth Heritage Society used Tamworth’s buildings and heritage as the theme for their pig, situated on the Upper Lawn in the Castle Grounds.

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Ziggy the Piggy. Located in St Editha’s Church and designed by children from St Elizabeth’s Primary School. Every child was involved in designing and naming the pig in accordance with the ‘made with love at St Elizabeth’s’ theme.

Bloom. Painted by Stoneydelph Primary School children using the flower beds in the Castle Grounds as inspiration. Bloom can be found at the top of Little Church Lane.

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I Am Tamworth Festival Piglet. The piglet decorated by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts and Events team has been turned into a ‘festival piglet’ and is festooned with logos from the I Am Tamworth project. It can be seen at Tamworth Assembly Rooms.

Lily the Pig. Painted by Dosthill Primary School children, inspired by Monet’s water lily paintings. It has been placed in Dosthill Park.

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The King of Merskia. This skiing pig was decorated by the children of Coton Green Primary School who painted their porker in the colours of the Mercian flag. It is being located at the Snowdome Island.

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Tommy. The Thomas Barnes Primary School pig was inspired by the Tamworth landscape and will be settled into its new home in the flower box outside The Fox pub in Lichfield Road.

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Owl Pig. Decorated by pupils at Birds Bush Primary School in tribute to the school’s owl mascot. To be situated at the Two Gates Lifeboats Island in Tamworth Road.

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Community Café Fireman Ham. Decorated by members of the Community Café using its location and activity sessions at Belgrave Community Fire Station as inspiration for the theme. It will be located at the fire station in Marlborough Way.

YOSHy Piggy. Painted by the Youth of Sacred Heart Church based on the theme of ‘choosing the right path’. Yoshy will take up residence outside the Sacred Heart Church off Silver Link Road.

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Poppy Pig. This trotter has been adorned with a painted thumb print from every student and teacher at Two Rivers Primary School. It will be found on the main island on the junction of Glascote Road and Silver Link Road.

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Harold the Herald Headline Hog. The headline-hogging hog decorated by the Tamworth Herald features all the top stories. It will be placed at Cardinal Point in Ventura Park.

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Pig-ma-lion. The Tamworth Lions pig has been aptly transformed into a lion and will take up residence at the back of the Pavilion Café in the Castle Grounds.

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Pork Chop. The Dosthill Brownies and Rainbows incorporated Girl Guide colours into the design of their pig in a celebration of the girl guiding movement. It has been placed on Amington Island at the top of Tamworth Road.