Little Hoots to Fly into Suffolk Show

Visitors to the Suffolk Show 2022 are in for a real ‘tweet’ as all 65 of St Elizabeth Hospice’s Little Hoot statues will be making their first public appearances of the summer at the hospice’s Suffolk Show stand.

All designed by Suffolk schools and children’s groups, the fantastic Little Hoots are making their journey to the hospice’s stand, (number 237) at the county show, for all to enjoy as excitement builds ahead of the launch of Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 art trail on 19th June.

Thanks to the support from the hospice’s education partners, Suffolk Agricultural Association and associate education partners Ipswich School, the Little Hoot learning and community programme is running alongside the Big Hoot and has seen 65 schools and groups in Suffolk signing up to be inspired and get creative as part of the art trail, as they design their very own Little Hoots.

Brandon Orton, Community Fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said “Well done to all the schools, groups and young people who have created a fantastic array of designs for our Little Hoots, with the Suffolk Show providing the perfect platform to showcase their brilliant creations.

“There is so much imagination and colour on all the designs and they will be enjoyed by all supporters of the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 as they take part in this summer’s trail.”

By joining the learning programme, each school has also pledged to raise a minimum of £695 for the hospice, while they have also received a resource pack linked to the curriculum to help teachers stimulate young minds.

The Suffolk Show is their first gathering of the summer and for the duration of the trail (19th June – 3rd September) they will be found displayed in shop windows of independent retailers across Ipswich for everyone to see.

One of the schools who have taken part in the Little Hoot is Farlingaye High School, who designed Owlberto (pictured). As part of their Little Hoot involvement they have raised more than £3,000 for the hospice, Rebekah Johnson, Head of Year 13 at the school, said: “The school participated in Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk a few years ago and it was a fantastic community project.

“Due to the disruptions Covid-19 has caused, taking part in the Little Hoot was a fantastic opportunity to bring our students back together. All students were involved from the fundraising, creating the design and the final masterpiece, with each student being given feather shaped cut outs to decorate, our Charity Committee then used these to cover Owlberto.

“We all look forward to seeing the Little Hoot at the Suffolk Show, especially as this has not been able to run over the past two years. We also cannot wait to take part in the trail around Ipswich and really hope it will inspire others to support St Elizabeth Hospice, such an amazing charity in our local area.”

The Big Hoot Ipswich 2022, will see 50 ornately decorated owl sculptures scattered throughout Ipswich, as part of the biggest free art event in Suffolk, which is being brought to Ipswich by St Elizabeth Hospice in partnership with creative producers Wild in Art.

Launching the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022, will be the Hoot Hike. A sponsored family-friendly 5k walk, taking place on Sunday 19th June.

The Hoot Hike will begin in Christchurch Park, where the event village will be located for registration, craft activities and stallholders. From here, participants will then complete a 5km trail around Ipswich, featuring a number of the town’s landmarks and a large selection of sculptures from this year’s trail.

Tickets cost £5 and participants are encouraged to raise additional funds for the hospice, as part of the hike, through sponsorship. To register visit register.enthuse.com/ps/event/HootHike.

For more information about the Big Hoot 2022 go to thebighoot.co.uk.