Member Article

Let’s get ready to Jumble

Members of the Ward Hadaway team stepped out on the Newcastle Quayside last week to meet their very own elephantastical creation, Jumble.

The multi-coloured creature forms part of Elmer’s Great North Parade, a fun and interactive trail taking place across Tyne and Wear in aid of St. Oswald’s Hospice.

Designed by artist Valerie Smith-Lane, Jumble is situated close to Ward Hadaway’s Newcastle headquarters near Quayside Seaside. The sculpture is one of 50 individually designed elephants based on the much loved children’s character, Elmer the patchwork elephant. 115 small sculptures can also be found on the route.

Newcastle born artist Valerie, who currently works as a tattoo artist, said; “Elmer is such a fun-loving, accessible character, it was great to bring him to life in the context of the Newcastle Quayside. We’re all made up as individuals from an assortment of influences; our family history and heritage, environment and culture and I wanted to reflect this in my interpretation of Elmer. I hope everyone enjoys the eye-catching results.”

Visitors sharing their Jumble selfies have the chance to win a one year National Trust family membership using a specially commissioned Snapchat filter. To use it, simply open Snapchat near Jumble and the filter will appear. Enter the four digit code displayed on screen to unlock him, take a selfie, upload to the gallery and be entered into the fantastic prize draw.

Senior Partner and head of the firm’s corporate social responsibility committee, Jamie Martin, said; “We’re delighted with Valerie’s interpretation of Elmer and I hope Jumble brings lots of joy to people visiting the trail. As a company headquartered in Newcastle, supporting local causes is something that has always been very important to us and St. Oswald’s Hospice provides help for so many individuals and their families in their time of need. It’s an important charity we’re pleased to be supporting.”

Members of the public can enjoy visiting all the elephants as part of a specially designed trail across the region until 1 November. An App, accompanying the trail map, will direct people around the route, allowing them to see parts of the region they never knew existed, whilst ticking off the stunning sculptures as they go.

The sculptures will be auctioned at the end of the trail to add funds to the St. Oswald’s Hospice pot. A farewell event will take place at Newcastle Racecourse on the weekend of 9th and 10th of November.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachel McBryde .