The hospice herd is here!

12th July 2017

Fancy a fun day out? Why not hunt down the famous herd from Hospice in the Weald? The herd, a group of 24 life-size horse sculptures, is currently on show in a unique public art installation, surprising and delighting sightseers across West Kent and East Sussex.

Designed and painted by local artists and generously sponsored by local businesses, the stunning horses have already created a stampede of interest in the parks and other public spaces where they are on display, ranging through Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge as far as Westerham in the north and Isfield to the south.

To help to track them down and find the nearest ones to you, you can download a Herd Trek map from the website herdofthehospice.co.uk, showing the locations of all 24. The website includes pictures of the herd and details of the artists who created the dramatic and colourful images.

The hospice herd is here

Charter (Dressy) & Chris Burke

Charter (Dressy) is the horse located at The Pantiles, sponsored by Charter Tax and designed by Chris Burke. Charter is inspired by dressage riders and sports a top hat and tails.

Chris Burke is a London born, award-winning illustrator, caricaturist and cartoonist living and working in Tunbridge Wells. Originally an advertising art director, Chris has worked for almost every major British publication in the last 30 years, including The Radio Times, The Sunday Times, The Evening Standard, Tattler and Vogue.

He has also illustrated children’s books, produced animated TV ads and billboards and created over 80 murals. What’s more, his work can be found in many private collections and the permanent collections of The London Transport Museum and the Victoria & Albert.

The hospice herd is here

Image: @tw_events

The hospice herd is here

Image: @bibsarelli

Image: Sarah Bird

Hashtag the Herd

When you track down each horse, you can encourage others to join in the fun by taking a selfie and sharing it on social media with the hashtag #jointheherd on Twitter at @thehospiceherd or on facebook at /herdofthehospice. At the horse’s feet, you’ll find a panel which, along with other information, will tell you how to make a donation as part of the campaign.

The herd will stay on show until October when the horses will be brought together for an exhibition at Royal Victoria Place before an auction in which you can bid to take one home for keeps.

Support Your Local Hospice

If you’ve enjoyed tracking down the Herd please do text to donate to support your local Hospice. Text HERD to 70660 to donate £3 to Hospice in the Weald. 90p in every £1 raised goes directly towards patient care. Every donation makes a difference!