Cows about Cambridge: The public’s favourites are revealed ahead of charity auction
The people have voted and the favourite sculptures from the Cows about Cambridge art trail can now be revealed.
The hugely popular 10-week trail, supported by the Cambridge Independent, has now ended and online bids are being taken for 43 udderly unique lots.
The cows, designed by regional and national artists, are going up for auction to make money for the trail’s charity partner, Break, a charity working with children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care.
These life-size sculptures start from £1,000 each, while two mini moos are ready to find their forever home from only £500.
The public were invited to vote for their favourite sculpture while all 90 cows were grazing in locations across Cambridge city centre this summer.
Almost 1,200 votes were cast and the results were as follows:
1. MooMoo-O-Tron III - 264 votes
The cow sculpture created by the artists Dinky Doors took top spot.
2. Cowbridges - 169 votes
3. Buttercup - 157 votes
4. Penny - 134 votes
5. Stardust - 123 votes
6. Moss Cow - 117 votes
7. Honey - 115 votes
8. May-Belle - 102 votes
“Every cow has its own personality. Which one would you choose to take home in aid of charity?” asked Charlie Langhorne, managing director and co-founder of event producers Wild in Art. “And which would resonate with your business or place of work?”
One of the popular sculptures, Penny, is a genuine cash cow, covered in coins to the value of £677.64.
The breakdown is as follows:
- 2 pence pieces x 6046 = £120.92
- 10 pence pieces x 5320 = £532
- 5 pence pieces x 409 = £20.45
- 1 pence pieces x 426 = £4.26
The auction will also feature a previously unseen sculpture, Bee Back Soon, by designer Sasha DeWitt, who became an artist in her mid-30s as a response to chronic illness.
Rachel Cowdry, CEO of Break, said: “We’re delighted to be the charitable beneficiaries of Cows about Cambridge.
“Break has been changing young lives across East Anglia for more than 50 years, and the money raised by the project will make a real difference to young people in Cambridge.
“At Break we believe that, whatever a child’s start in life, with the right care there’s no limit to what they can achieve. By supporting the Cows about Cambridge auction you will be ensuring that we can always be there, providing children with a healthy childhood and the life-long support they need to find their feet and enjoy a bright and successful future.”
All auction lots can be viewed in advance during a farewell weekend at The Grafton from September 17 to 19. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of £2.50 to Break.
The online auction will remain open for bids at cowsaboutcambridge.co.uk/auction until September 23, when celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson will bring the hammer down during an in-person event at the Graduate Cambridge Hotel.
Cows about Cambridge’s principal partner is Cambridge BID, while the official travel partner is Thameslink.
Read more
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Complete guide to Cows about Cambridge 2021: All you need to enjoy city’s huge art trail
