Worcester's Waddle Art Trail Farewell Event at Cricket Ground

In Worcester, England, a farewell event was held for the Waddle of Worcester art trail, featuring 80 colorful penguin sculptures that had adorned the city for eight weeks. The sculptures were installed in July to raise funds for St Richard's Hospice, with each piece designed by local artists and schools, and sponsored by various businesses. The event took place at Worcestershire County Cricket Ground over a weekend, allowing visitors to view the sculptures one last time before they are auctioned off. Project lead Sarah Matthews noted the trail's success in encouraging exploration of the city, despite some instances of vandalism, including one sculpture being recovered from the River Severn. The ticketed event charged £6 for adults and £3 for children, providing an opportunity for those who had not completed the trail to do so, as well as for potential buyers to inspect the sculptures prior to the auction. Previous art trails featuring elephants and giraffes have raised significant funds for the charity, totaling over £700,000, highlighting the community's support for local causes.