The Staffy Trail is coming to Trentham

A large turquoise sculpture of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier with colourful artwork painted onto it, including a purple bandana around its neck. It is placed in an outdoor courtyard with trees and picnic benches behind.

Due to popular demand, the Staffy Trail is returning for the school summer holidays exclusively at Trentham Gardens. 

Over the last few months, thousands of people followed Staffy's lead to visit all eleven Staffordshire Bull Terrier sculptures in towns across the county.  

Delivered by Staffordshire County Council in partnership with the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), the ten-week Staffy Trail brought in tourists from outside the county and generated around £180,000 for the local economy. 

But there is good news for people who have not yet had a chance to explore the fun public art trail: the Staffy Trail is officially coming to Trentham Gardens for the school summer holidays. 

Eight sculptures will be available to view on the trail at Trentham Gardens from Saturday 1 August until 18 September. Additionally, the 'Outdoors Muddy Paws' Staffy, designed by Lynne Hollingworth, has already settled into his forever home in the Trentham Shopping Village.

Hayley Coles, Staffordshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said:

"It was incredibly rewarding to see so many people discover new parts of our beautiful county in such a fun way. The trail has given a real boost to our local towns and businesses, and helped thousands of people see why Staffordshire is the nation's playground. 

"If you didn't manage to tick off all the Staffy sculptures first time round, you now have another chance to enjoy them at Trentham this summer."

Displayed with three of the Staffy sculptures will be the winning entries to the 'Staffy's Tales' creative writing competition. 

The winners are as follows: 

  • Lucy Goodman: “What Sonney Means to Everyone” 
  • Reef Boguslawski: “Jasper” 
  • Gemma-Louise Walsh: “Beam Me Up Staffordshire” 

The competition was judged by the Young Poet Laureate for Staffordshire, Pearl Knight-Dutton, alongside the artist behind the 'Sonney' Staffy Sculpture, Chloe Breeze. 

Kerrie Pope, Head of Events and Marketing at the Trentham Estate, said: 

"The Staffy trail was received with so much love by both local residents and tourists. We're delighted to be welcoming eight of the Staffy sculptures to Trentham this summer, alongside our own 'Muddy Paws', giving even more people the chance to enjoy the creativity and talent behind each one. 

"I want to say a huge congratulations to all three winners of the writing competition. Your entries really impressed our judges and will be proudly displayed alongside your chosen Staffy sculptures over the summer."  

To visit The Staffy Trail at Trentham, book early bird tickets online two days in advance to save 15% on the Trentham website, or enjoy unlimited visits with a Trentham membership. 

 

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