50 life-sized corgi sculptures arrive on the streets of Altrincham today
Feeling left out of today's Trooping the Colour? Come down to Altrincham's Trooping the Corgis!
Last updated 2nd Jun 2022
If you're feeling left out of London's Trooping the Colour celebrations today, then fear not as Altrincham has unveiled its very own and much cuter alternative event: Trooping the Corgis!
If you visit Altrincham from today and up until the end of June, you'll be greeted by 50 life-sized corgi sculptures decorated by Manchester-based artists and residents in the windows of local businesses around the town centre.
This community project was organised by Inch Arts and Altrincham BID, who wanted to find a way of not only celebrating the Jubilee this weekend, but also bringing the community together.
Mandy White, one of the organisers from Altrincham BID, told us that primary schools, secondary schools, community groups and figures are involved as well as a selection of local artists such as graffiti and mural artist Russ Mehan AKA 'Qubek' and Dr John Cooper-Clarke.
Russ Mehan, who has decorated one of the corgis, told us how this event has benefitted the local community: "Through lockdown, people didn't get much chance to be involved in these social events and art is so important for people's mental health."
He continued: "That's why this event is so important, it takes people away from the stresses of daily life and I think its just such a positive thing for people to come out, come together and look at."
Pupper animator by day and now corgi artist by night Barry Purves also spoke to us about the 'wordle corgi' he painted for this project.
He told us about his inspiration behind hit sculpture: "I know Queen Elizabeth is obsessed with wordle so I did a royal wordle corgi for her.
"I know that's the first thing she does in the morning, she gets up, has a cup of earl grey and does her wordle - and I have that on good authority!"
Other corgi sculptures were extremely varied- with some being painted, some dressed in royal clothes, one in a full punk get-up (like the one below) and one even covered in coffee.
The corgis will be on display until the end of June, after of which the public can bid for their favourite corgi in a charity auction.
This will raise money for Inch arts to put on wellbeing and mental health events throughout the Altrincham community.