Telford duck statues fly the nest but charity fund is ready to soar
It’s been a quacking summer, but now the giant ducks that have adorned the Ironbridge Gorge and Telford’s Southwater have been rounded up and taken away for a clean before a charity auction.
People gathered in Telford’s Southwater for one last selfie with the Let’s Go Quackers statues as the volunteers behind the popular art trail packed them into a lorry ready to be removed.
Over the 15 weeks or so since they were first unveiled in Ironbridge, thousands of people have travelled to the area to see the trail of 10 giant ducks. And many of them have donated towards two charities set to benefit from the sale of the popular pieces.
Visitors have collected £10,789 towards Severn Hospice and the Jayne Sargent Foundation, with more set to be collected when the ducks are sold at auction on September 3.
Julie Ward, who is behind the trail, said she had mixed feelings about packing the ducks up on Saturday morning.
“I was heartbroken,” she said. “To see them all on the lorry and them taken away – it’s not the end of the journey, but it felt very final.
“People were still around and taking pictures. There were people taking selfies with the ducks in the background on the lorry – and that was at 8am.”
Artists have already been working on the ducks to make sure they are perfect for whoever buys them.
An online auction has been launched for the 10 giant ducks and seven miniatures.
Julie said the only thing she wanted was for their new owners to look after them.
“I just want them to go to loving homes,” she said. “If they’re in areas where people can still enjoy them, all the better.
“Some people will want them for private use, but if they can go in public places and can still raise smiles that would make me very happy.”
Julie said that the art trail had been very successful – despite a few issues with vandalism.
Four of the 10 ducks were vandalised within a week of arriving in Southwater, including one incident where a man punched the Lady Victoria duck “because he was angry”.
While the ducks were in Ironbridge, vandals pulled the Peace Duck from its pedestal and threw it in the River Severn.
“Out of everything, even with the little blips we’ve had, the one thing to take away is the amount of positivity,” Julie said.
“Not just Telford, people have come from all over to visit us. It’s really very sweet.”
The ducks, along with a set of miniatures, will go up for auction at Charlton School off Apley Avenue, in Wellington on September 3.
Viewing will be be from 5pm to 7pm and the bidding will start promptly at 7.30pm with auctioneer Nigel P. Davis.
The evening will feature a performance by the Telford and District Light Operatic Players and a photo booth for guests.
Details of the online auction can be found on the Let’s Go Quackers Facebook and Twitter pages. The latest bids will be posted every day. Offers can be placed through those pages or through Julie directly on 07966 520537.
The top bid in the online auction will be the opening bid on September 3.
