Pastures new for giant decorative ducks in Telford - with video
A flock of giant decorative ducks have left the Ironbridge Gorge, and are now getting a touch-up ahead of a stay in Telford.
The 10 ducks, which were individually hand-painted by artists from Shropshire and the surrounding areas, form the Let's Go Quackers community arts trail, which is moving after a two month stay in Ironbridge.
They are being spruced up so they will be ready to take part in the Carnival of Giants in Telford's town centre on July 15.
After being displayed at the Southwater centre, they will then be auctioned off to raise money for the Severn Hospice and the Jayne Sargent Foundation. Miniature versions of the ducks will also be auctioned off.
Julie Ward, who is behind the art trail, said: “They’ve had a great time in Ironbridge but it was always the plan for them to move to Southwater. There it will be less of an arts trail and more of an exhibition.
“We’ve been overwhelmed at the reception they have already had. Every time we go down there there are people posing there. It is people of all ages, people in wheelchairs, children and families.”
The ducks were designed by school pupils, community groups and artists after a competition, after which a judging panel narrowed the hundreds of entrants down to 10. They were in place in the Gorge from early May, and residents and visitors alike enjoyed seeing them all.
Two of the ducks have been damaged in their time in Ironbridge, with one of them pulled from its stand and thrown into the River Severn. A community group of 'duck watchers' was recruited to keep watch and protect the statues from revellers, who were thought to be behind the damage.
