Moo-ve on down to Cambridge city centre from Monday 28 June and you’ll discover no fewer than 90 colourful and creative Cow sculptures on the much-anticipated Cows about Cambridge art trail.
Running for 10 weeks until Saturday 4 September, this world-class trail is available for local families and groups of friends to enjoy for free. Each of the 44 Cow sculptures and 46 mini moos has been lovingly hand-decorated by a national or regional artist, school or community group, and all are situated in Covid-friendly locations in the open air or within public spaces indoors. Covering 10 miles, the entire trail can be walked during a fun day out, though people are welcome to visit as many or as few Cows as they wish. Many of the Cows can be found grazing near hospitality venues, or in ideal spots for a picnic.
A printed trail map showing all the locations can be collected in shopping centres and some display settings, or from the Cambridge BID Ambassadors; maps can also be downloaded from the website at cowsaboutcambridge.co.uk. An udderly-unique Cows about Cambridge app is also available to help geo-locate Cows, unlock rewards and track your trail progress; fun features include the chance to vote for your favourite Cow and add selfies to the online gallery.
Wild in Art is delivering this project - one of the largest mass-participation art events ever to come to Cambridge - in association with Break charity, and in partnership with principal partner Cambridge BID and official travel partner Thameslink.
Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of event producers Wild in Art, said: “Cows about Cambridge is a celebration of Cambridge’s creativity, culture and heritage and we are delighted to be able to unveil all the cows. We would like to thank everybody who has supported this important project. The contribution from communities, schools, artists and sponsors is at the very core of the success of Cows about Cambridge, and for that we are immensely grateful.”
“Not only will these beautiful bovines bring a smile to your face, but they also have a serious role to play in encouraging conversations about the climate and how we look after our world,” he said.
Ian Sandison, CEO of Cambridge BID explained: “Local businesses have been very generous in offering rewards connected to many Cows on the trail. When you visit and ‘unlock’ a sculpture using the trail app, you may find a discount voucher or giveaway – such as a free gin cocktail, discounted cycle hire and free art activities. It’s been a particularly difficult year for the high street, and we’re delighted that this trail can help to bring some excitement back to our city centre.”
Tom Moran, Managing Director of Thameslink & Great Northern, said: “As the Official Travel Partner of Cows about Cambridge, Thameslink is delighted the trail will soon be open and that the two cows we have sponsored, ‘Around the City’ and ‘Strength in Numbers’ will be seen by everyone who takes part. We are very proud to serve the people of Cambridge and hope the trail will give local residents and visitors another great reason to get out and about.”
After the trail ends, all of the Cows will be herded together for a final Farewell Weekend, then the large Cow sculptures will be auctioned off to raise vital funds for Break, while the mini moos will find forever homes with the schools and community groups that created them.
“We are so excited to be involved in the Cows about Cambridge sculpture trail. I look forward to experiencing the buzz of the trail myself and hearing stories from individuals, families and businesses who are taking part too,” said Rachel Cowdry, CEO of Break charity. “The auction in September will raise vital funds for our services across Cambridgeshire, giving young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care stability, a home and the life-long support they need to enjoy a bright and successful future.”
For more information about Cows about Cambridge visit www.cowsaboutcambridge.co.ukor search for the trail on social media. The Cows about Cambridge app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play from 28 June at a cost of £1.99, with 25% of the net profit from each purchase being donated to Break charity.
CASE STUDY supplied by Lion Yard Shopping Centre
Shoppers will be treated to an “Out of this World, Space Experience” at Lion Yard this Summer.
In connection to Cows About Cambridge and Lion Yard’s sponsored Cow named “Mooon”, the centre will be hanging giant planets and spaceships inside their main atrium.
Space enthusiasts will be able to look for their favourite planets including Earth, Mars, Jupiter & Neptune while trying to find the space rocket flying through the air! The centre’s Cow “Mooon” will also be positioned on top of a large moon surface floor vinyl in the central atrium, providing a stunning backdrop for this part of the Cows About Cambridge trail.
Roger Allen, centre manager of Lion Yard, commented “we are really excited to be part of the Cows About Cambridge project, and have thrown ourselves wholeheartedly into the experience. We are ready for lift-off this Summer.”
As part of the Lion Yard’s out of this world experience this Summer, the centre will be running a FREE Space School for kids across a number of days during the Summer Holidays (dates tbc) where children can register to try space food, learn about space and take home a specially decorated rocket of their own. Finally look out for some comic astronauts handing out mini–Mars Bars and Milky Ways across certain dates!
For more information please visit: www.thelionyard.co.uk
