Has your school 'herd' about the udderly brilliant CowParade?

Surrey: January 5, 2016: Surrey Hills Enterprises is calling on local schools to take part in its CowParade 2016 – the world's biggest public arts event – to raise money for the Surrey Hills Trust Fund as well as vital funds for their own educational establishments.

They want schools to find a business or parent group to sponsor a life-size cow or a calf-size ‘mini moo’ version and to get either a teacher to lead the decoration, or bring in an artist to do it.

The cows, which can be standing, sitting or grazing, will then be displayed around the county before being herded to the inaugural Surrey Hills Food, Drink and Music Festival on September 3 where they will be auctioned off. Those judged to be extra special will be auctioned at a gala dinner held at a unique London location later in the year. In a novel move, while the models are being decorated and moved around, their location can be tracked via a specially-created app.

Surrey Hills Enterprises are particularly keen for primary schools to get involved and are providing packs to help them get started, with ideas for competitions and suggestions for sponsorship.

Educational establishments can choose a charity or their own school to benefit from half of the auction proceeds, with the other 50 per cent going to the Surrey Hills Trust Fund, a charity established to conserve and protect the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, leaving a legacy for generations to come. The fund supports local community projects and enterprise schemes that benefit and enhance the Surrey Hills landscape.

CowParade leader Tim Metson said: "CowParade 2016 offers schools a fantastic fun way to get children creatively involved in raising vital funds. The trick will be for the school to create a cow that will raise lots of money at auction. So, an art teacher may wish to lead the project or they may want to ask a local artist to transform the children’s ideas into the finished painted cow!”

The initiative has already secured offers of support from key organisations including the National Trust, schools and Surrey businesses such as Sandown Park Racecourse. The event will be driven by Coverwood Lakes & Farm and Surrey Hills Enterprises and has support from Surrey Community Foundation and the backing of Surrey County Council.

Cllr Mike Goodman, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “This promises to be a fantastic event. Not only will it benefit a huge range of good causes but it will also give local businesses a boost and promote tourism by showcasing Surrey’s beautiful countryside. I would urge schools across the county to get involved with something I’m sure will be very special by getting creative."

CowParade was born in Switzerland in 1998 and has been staged in more than 80 cities and towns worldwide. Over the years 3,000 cows have been decorated by more than 5,000 artists. CowParade New York had 450 cows and was seen worldwide by 45 million people. The highest-grossing cow was created by designer John Rocha for CowParade Dublin in 2003 — studded with thousands of pieces of Waterford Crystal it was auctioned for $146,000 — quite a lot of moo-lah indeed.

For more information on how to take part call the Surrey Hills CowParade team on 01483 661150 or visit the website at www.cowparadesurreyhills.com

PAUL SMITH ASSOCIATES
5th January 2016