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.