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Swindogs sculpture trail locations for summer revealed

A giant balloon dog sculpture at the County Ground which will form part of The Big Dog Art trail taking place in Swindon this year Credit: Simon Ward <i>(Image: Simon Ward)</i>
A giant balloon dog sculpture at the County Ground which will form part of The Big Dog Art trail taking place in Swindon this year Credit: Simon Ward (Image: Simon Ward)

ORGANISERS of The Big Dog Art Trail have revealed the locations where a parade of Swindog sculptures will make their home across Swindon this summer.

In total, 30 supersized Swindogs and 41 smaller Swinpup sculptures will be placed around Swindon in the UK’s first-ever balloon dog art trail, covering 20 miles between them.

The free-to-access trail event is being brought to town from July 15 to September 3 by the global art producer Wild in Art and Wiltshire’s children’s hospice, Julia’s House.

It is hoped the uniquely decorated Swindogs will raise thousands of pounds at auction for the charity, which looks after the most seriously ill children and their families in Swindon and across the county.

Each decorated balloon dog will be given a home in several of Swindon's iconic locations for members of the public to go and find.

These locations include Lydiard Park, The Link Centre, The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, STEAM Museum and Swindon Town Football Club, The Parade, Swindon Train Station and the Wyvern Theatre

As well as local haunts like GWR Park, Pinetrees Community Centre, Broadgreen Community Centre, Old Town Gardens, Queens Park, Old Town Library & Arts Centre, St Marks Park and Lawns

Nationwide’s Oakfield Development and Swindon Council Office are the other two locations.

Swindon Advertiser: Lydiard Park will be hosting a balloon dog sculpture as part of The Big Dog Art trail in Swindon this year Credit: Simon Ward
Swindon Advertiser: Lydiard Park will be hosting a balloon dog sculpture as part of The Big Dog Art trail in Swindon this year Credit: Simon Ward

Lydiard Park will be hosting a balloon dog sculpture as part of The Big Dog Art trail in Swindon this year Credit: Simon Ward (Image: Simon Ward)

Chris Hyde, Project Manager for The Big Dog Art Trail, said, “We have tried to really showcase Swindon and the fantastic areas it has with this trail.

“From the variety of stunning public parks to heritage sights including the railway works, to areas of significance for local communities.

“This trail is something Swindon should be proud of and will enable not only people visiting the area to discover new parts of the town but also residents to go out and explore what is on their own doorsteps.”

As well as the 30 Swindog sculptures, there will also be 41 miniature Swinpup sculptures as part of the trail’s Learning Programme.

On Monday, schools and community groups picked up their sculptures at an event held at the Wyvern Theatre, these will be located in small packs at North Swindon Library, Central Library, West Swindon Library, Pinetrees Community Centre, the Wyvern Theatre and the Outlet

Ahead of the opening weekend of the trail, there will be physical maps available for a small donation going to Julia’s House and a special trail app, where you can collect the sculptures and find out more about their artists and the companies sponsoring them.

There are just a handful of Swindogs now left to sponsor. To find out how to become a trail Sponsor or to sign up for the Big Woof newsletter, visit www.bigdgodarttrail.co.uk