On Saturday 23 February Snowy, formerly the Pilgrims Hospices Snowpup, was unveiled at his new permanent kennel at Singleton Environment Centre (SEC).
After the successful Snowdog trail, which brought civic pride and fun to the streets and community of Ashford during autumn 2018, many residents were delighted that several of the pieces of art bought at the Gala Auction were to remain as part of the community and can be visited within the town at Elwick Place, Gateway Library and, as of two weeks ago, at Pilgrims Hospices where Parklife was unveiled.
Now joining these is Snowy, who was bought by Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council at the Gala Auction.
We really appreciated the opportunity to interpret and paint Snowy. We’ve really enjoyed being involved with the Snowdogs trail and we hope that everybody loves seeing Snowy at Singleton Environment Centre.
Kaya Cook and Robyn Bailey, Ashford College students
Singleton Environment Centre invited those involved in the project to an unveiling at the Centre on Saturday. These included council guests, representatives from Pilgrims and the two student artists who painted Snowy.
Snowy was a sculpture that was a fundamental part of the pack, being the first pup in Ashford. But he wasn’t placed on the trail; instead, he took on his own pawesome adventure across east Kent. This included stays at Pilgrims’ hospices in Canterbury and Thanet, as well as popping up at fundraising events and in the Pilgrims shops in Ashford and Tenterden.
Snowy was designed and decorated by Kaya Cook and Robyn Bailey, Year 2 students from Ashford College.
Kaya and Robyn said: “We were so excited to have been a part of the Snowdogs project! We really appreciated the opportunity to interpret and paint Snowy. He has been decorated in lots of key symbols that connect to the hospice and its work; these include the Memory Tree on one side of him, stars and the blue Pilgrims logo. We’ve really enjoyed being involved with the Snowdogs trail and we hope that everybody loves seeing Snowy at Singleton Environment Centre.”
Ian McClintock, Chair of Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council, said: “It is really brilliant to have Snowy at the Singleton Environment Centre, but he will continue his pawesome adventure by visiting the two local schools in our parish and both village halls where many organisations will enjoy Snowy. We have created a ‘Friends of Snowy’ fundraising page so the whole community can support Snowy on his travels. I am sure he will be visited by many people at the SEC and he will be made very welcome back at the Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, too. Great Chart with Singleton Parish Council and Singleton Spaces are very pleased to be able to be part of the continuation of the first art trail instigated by the council and I hope everyone will enjoy Snowy wherever they see him.”
Snowy is the only Snowpup on public display, all the others have been returned to the schools that painted them as a treasured keepsake of this community project.
On 14 February Pilgrims Hospice Ashford was delighted to unveil their newest resident in the grounds of the hospice, the Snowdog Parklife.
After the successful Snowdog trail, which brought pleasure to the people of Ashford and beyond in autumn 2018, many residents were delighted that some of the unique pieces of art bought at the Gala Auction remained as part of the community and can be visited within the town. Joining these now is Parklife, who was one of a pair bought by Vin Donald Trinh.
Mr Donald-Trinh so enjoyed every aspect of the Snowdog trail, he wanted patients, visitors, staff and volunteers to be able to continue to share in that enjoyment. Parklife has therefore been loaned to Pilgrims Hospices and will be on display for the forthcoming year.
The family agreed without hesitation, that it was befitting for Parklife to stand where he would bring much joy and happiness to all those who visit and work at Pilgrims.
Vin Donald Trinh, who successfully bid on Parklife at the Snowdogs Gala Auction
Parklife was designed by artist Kathleen Smith who wanted to encourage people to enjoy the parks in and around Ashford with all their exciting wildlife. With a wildlife orchard, sensory garden, pond and glorious setting at the hospice, Parklife will find a friendly home.
Mr Donald Trinh said: “Like many living near and far from Ashford, we were immediately captured by the colourful Snowdogs. They brightened up Ashford and became a really fun feature for everyone to enjoy.
We took ouryoung children around the town spotting them each weekend, taking pictures. Every Snowdog visited brought great excitement and joy to both of our children, every one was a favourite as we loved them all!
We saw the Snowdogs when they gathered at the Julie Rose Stadium for the Farewell Weekend and from there the family thought that if we were lucky enough we would attempt to bid for one. We also knew that the Snowdogs were there for a very special purpose and that was to support Pilgrims Hospices in the fantastic work that they do; work which is often difficult but invaluable.
We feel extremely lucky and privileged to be part of the Snowdogs journey in Ashford. It was never our original intention to loan Parklife to the Hospice but having been so very fortunate in the auction, the family agreed without hesitation, that it was befitting for Parklife to stand where he would bring much joy and happiness to all those who visit and work at Pilgrims. This would be the biggest gratitude we could have bestowed in return for the joy the Snowdogs brought to our family and all others in Ashford.
We very much hope that Parklife fits in well at his new home and the family shall visit him regularly to make sure he’s behaving himself!”