Shaun on the Tyne is all mine, all mine!

The farmyard setting was a bit of a hint, and as the opening speeches were drowned out by the indignant squeal of the farm’s flock of sheep desperate for their breakfast, suspicions grew and grew.

Guests were then encouraged to line the track from the farmyard to the orchard as Hospice Chief Executive Steph Edusei, along with representatives from creative producer Wild in Art and Aardman (another clue!) joined BBC Radio Newcastle’s Alfie Joey in herding the flock to the top of the hill. Here, perched proudly but shrouded in a sheet, was the star of the show.

After a countdown from five and much anticipation, the sculpture was unveiled as Oscar-winning star of film and television, Shaun the Sheep! Shaun received excited applause and as photos were taken, he was joined by the curious sheep who has earlier shared a pen with him.

Shaun will join his own flock of 50 full sized sculptures, each individually designed and painted by an artist, when the trail hits hit the streets of Newcastle for ten weeks from Wednesday 19^th July 2023. A trail of little Shauns, designed by schools and youth groups will graze a little further into the region and both will be tracked by an app and paper map.

Summer 2023 might seem a long way off, but we are already looking for more sponsors to add to the flock as well as schools and community youth groups to decorate and adopt the little Shauns and of course, artists to paint the large sculptures. Our website has more details and info packs will be available to download soon, but please tell everyone you can and get the buzz started for what promises to be a huge event for the hospice next year. You can also follow all the action by searching ‘Shaun on the Tyne’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks to our trail partners Wild in Art and Aardman, Headline Trail Partner Newcastle City Council and Learning Programme Partner Northumbrian Water and all of our other sponsors and supporters for their support.