SIX ‘beautifully-decorated’ sun bear sculptures are prowling the streets of Solihull as part of the region’s largest ever free public art trail, The Big Sleuth.
For ten weeks this summer, more than 230 colourful 5ft-tall bears and 3ft-tall bear cubs will inhabit Bear-mingham and its surrounding areas.
Families following The Big Sleuth trail will be able to hunt for six bears in Solihull town centre.
Solihull BID is backing The Big Sleuth with two bears situated on the High Street – Grandpa Bear and Builder Bear.
Two bears are waiting to be photographed in Mell Square – the National Grid-sponsored The Sun Bear-neath The Sea and Flower Bear, which features a letter hunt competition to give families the chance to win a star prize after completing the challenging trail.
Touchwood and Solihull College and University Centre are also hosting sculptures, while The Core is hosting Little Bear cubs for visitors to the popular arts centre.
The Big Sleuth’s arrival adds to a summer of fun in Solihull town centre with the Solihull Jazz Festival and new Continental Street taking place between Friday, July 14 and Sunday, July 16.
The Big Sleuth, so called because ‘sleuth’ is the name of a group of bears, as well as a detective, unites 100 bears individually created by artists, with 137 bear cubs designed as part of The Big Sleuth Learning Programme.
The trail will attract thousands of residents and tourists to the region, inspiring civic pride and the opportunity for people to spend time together and get active whether it is walking, running or cycling.
At the end of the trail, the large bears together with the special celebrity bear cubs will be auctioned off in October to raise vital funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.
“We’re so excited that The Big Sleuth is finally here, we have been planning the bear’s arrival since the owls left and we can’t bear-lieve it’s finally here!” said Louise McCathie, Director of Fundraising at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity.
“We hope The Big Sleuth will encourage people to come together to walk, jog, run or cycle the free trail, and consider downloading The Big Sleuth app which allows you to track your trail, collect bears, unlock rewards and/ or take part in our Super Sleuth Challenges, which will raise money for our hospital.”
All proceeds from The Big Sleuth will go towards helping the children and young people treated at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. You can support the hospital by texting SLEUTH to 70007 to make a one off £3 donation or download The Big Sleuth app to kick start your fundraising and track your trail, collect bears and unlock rewards.
To find out more or to download a free The Big Sleuth trail map visit www.thebigsleuth.co.uk
