Our Timeline with Shaun By The Sea

February - On a gloomy winter day, a mini version of Shaun visited our offices in Brighton. He livened up the day and we snapped a few pictures of him. Lesley, our Marketing Manager also had the opportunity to be interviewed and explain why Greens are getting involved in the art trail. If you haven’t already seen it, you can do so by clicking here.

March - We attended an event where we got to see all the shortlisted artist impressions, they were all incredible and so artistic. Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim was there, and we managed a photo opportunity and chat with him despite George being very star struck!  We had to choose our top three designs and wait a few weeks to see which one we would be allocated. We were delighted to be given our first choice.

April - Lesley attended a “meet the artist” event in Brighton and was also privileged to visit her at the secret art studio where she even let her paint a small section (just the basecoat, nothing fancy!) We have been sworn to secrecy so that it will be a surprise for everyone when the trail goes live. We have a code name of B&B which has nothing to do with bed & breakfast! 

May - Lesley and her family went to a fun workshop in the half term holidays where they made models of Shaun the Sheep. It was enormous fun especially as the session was run by Jim Parkyn, a senior model maker at Aardman. He was very kind about their efforts to recreate a realistic Shaun which is much harder than expected. We also attended a workshop to find out more about promoting our involvement where we met lots of other sponsors.   

July - We made a return visit to the secret studio this month. We were bowled over by the amazing job that Claire has done with B&B who now looks resplendent. We were able to see quite a lot of the designs (some were out for varnishing) and lots of the mini versions designed and created by local schools. They are all unique and very colourful. 

September - the Shaun by the Sea art trail is now up and running across Brighton! Our Shaun was installed in East Street, on the edge of the lanes in the early hours of the morning on Friday 8^th September. Lesley was very excited to go and visit “Bleats and Blossom” so set off on a lovely hot day where she found our Shaun basking in the wonderful sunshine and enjoying all the attention of curious passers-by.

The following week, Lesley and George joined a VIP open bus tour around Brighton where they got to see a selection of the other Shauns. It was great fun although extremely windy!! They were in good company as Peter Lord, the Aardman creator of Shaun the Sheep, and also Fatboy Slim joined the tour. They were even recorded by the local news station and the eagle-eyed saw them on BBC’s South East Today.

The excitement continued with the Shaun Selfie Challenge – we entered a team and even had Green Insurance t-shirts printed.

The aim was to take selfies with as many of the sculptures as possible in a two-hour window. Despite the dismal weather, the team which consisted of George, Jamie, Kelly, James, Aden and Chapelle soldiered on and snapped 18 of the Sheep. They did well but sadly didn’t win. They still insist it was due to foul play by another team! Not sore losers at all!!! They all enjoyed a fish & chip supper by the seaside their efforts.

Fat Boy Slim who is a massive supporter of the Martlets hospice undertook a half marathon around the city stopping at every Shaun sculpture to raise funds, so we went to greet him at Bleats and Blossom. He is always so friendly and happy to have his picture taken. Lesley was joined by Steph, Helen and Rex and it made for a very different type of lunchbreak. Claire, our artist also joined us and it was wonderful to see her reunited with her artwork.

October – We held a cake sale at our Brighton office. Debbie, who is a brilliant home cook, made some amazing Shaun the Sheep themed treats and we were able to raise some much needed funded for the Martlets.

November - Richard, one of our directors, enjoyed spending an evening at The 1^st Central County Ground in Hove for a wonderful firework display as guest of the Martlets. Richard said it was lovely to meet many of the other sponsors of Shaun the Sheep and also the Martlets team who were so grateful for our support.

When the trail ended, Lesley visited the Brighton Centre with her family for the farewell event. All the sheep were together in one giant flock and even “Shaun Le Sheep” who had been sadly vandalised and taken off the trail, had been repaired and looked magnificent. It was a fun event with badge and model making for the children and Father Christmas was a special guest. Lesley was delighted to be reacquainted with Bleats & Blossom who had been especially polished ready for sale. The event was a huge success with 7000 visitors over the weekend.

The night of the auction at the end of November was a bittersweet experience as it meant saying a final goodbye to Bleats & Blossom. Lesley and George went to the Corn Exchange and prepared for a long night of bidding. The evening started with a DJ set from Martlets Ambassador, Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim and then we all entered the auditorium for the serious business of selling sheep! Charles Hanson, the auctioneer was brilliant and worked so hard he was hoarse by the end of the evening. Bids came in from the internet and phone as well as the audience, so it was lively and exciting.  Bleats & Blossom was lot no 2 and our wonderful artist, Claire Havell, was given the chance to speak and told everyone about her inspiration for the design of Bleats & Blossom. It was very moving as she explained about the significance of cherry blossom having a short life and how it is valued so much in Japan, this really resonated with the message around hospice care. Bleats & Blossom went on to raise £3000. Overall, the auction along with the other funds raised by the trail came to £750,000 which is amazing. You can read more here https://www.shaunbythesea.co.uk/2023/11/30/shaun-by-the-sea-signs-off-in-style/?fbclid=IwAR3XS4Z25SsPbjfQjuEaQf4HPkm243WjUdzaUqyggHtJnI13zow-5w7EmlA

Our selfie competition was won by Mercy and Mara! We caught up with the winners after the announcement to hear their thoughts on the trail and how much they enjoyed taking part. Click the link below to read the full interview.