New Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 Auction Date Announced

Following the sad news of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death, St Elizabeth Hospice has announced its Big Hoot Auction will now take place on Wednesday 12th October.

Previously due to be hosted on Thursday 15th September, at the Grand Hall, in Ipswich Town Hall, the hospice team has taken the decision to reschedule the auction to 12th October, which will bring to a close this year’s Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 art trail.

The Big Hoot Ipswich 2022 art trail has seen 50 ornately decorated owl sculptures, featuring a range of individual designs from national and local artists, make Ipswich their home for the summer as part of the biggest free art event in Suffolk which attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town.

Celia Joseph, Community Relationships Fundraising Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “After the very sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we have taken the decision to reschedule the finale of the Big Hoot Art Trail, the Big Hoot Auction.

“While the family focused, Farewell Weekend went ahead as planned and was a wonderful success, we did not feel we can do these final celebratory, fundraising events full justice at this time of mourning.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters in helping to swiftly re-arrange this very special event so we can give the Hoots a proper send off and we look forward to welcoming all to the auction in October.”

The auction on 12th October will still take place at the Grand Hall, in Ipswich Town Hall, which Ipswich Borough Council are kindly supporting. The Big Hoot Auction will see all 50 Big Hoot statues, which have made up this summer’s art trail, go under the hammer to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice as they find their forever homes.

All proceeds from the auction will go towards St Elizabeth Hospice and its services which provide care free of charge to those living with progressive or life-limiting illness throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

Arrival for the Big Hoot Auction, which will be conducted by Clarke and Simpson, begins at 6pm before the first bids at 7pm. Auctions for the previous hospice art trails, including Pigs Gone Wild 2016 and Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk 2019, have proved great successes.

With Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk seeing statues sell for £3,000 and even up to £10,000, and these statues now proudly grace homes, businesses, gardens and even a cruise ship, across the UK and Suffolk.

Tickets to attend the Big Hoot Auction cost £20 and you can register by visiting: https://thebighoot.co.uk/event/auction/