LEOMINSTER in Bloom is set to unveil a Ryeland Sheep statue in the town.
After months of planning the group has announced the date of the official unveiling of the Ryeland Sheep Statue which has been christened ‘Lady Baa-baa’ and is the creation of local metal smiths Claudia Petley and Paul Shepherd.
The sheep, who stares longingly up at an apple tree will be unveiled by the town mayor, Molly Cook, on Saturday September 14.
The event will begin in Corn Square where the town band will be entertaining people at the Farmers Market.
At 10.30am there will then be a procession of the Leominster in Bloom members and statue sponsors, who will follow a real Ryeland sheep down Drapers Lane and Broad Street to the site where the unveiling will take place at about 11am in the Broad Street car park.
Everyone is welcome to join the procession and be a part of the celebrations.
Lady Baa-baa is placed at the key ‘welcome point’ for all coaches and visitors that come in to town, which also has strong
historic links with the local wool trade.
All the tanning and dying was done in this area and the original sheep market began here.
"We are very grateful to the Co-op, who gave us the original grant and to the local businesses and individuals who have been very generous in sponsoring our lovely Ryeland statue," said Mary Apps, chair of Leominster in Bloom.
"The town’s original wealth came from wonderful quality of the wool from this particular breed, that came to be known as
’Lemster Ore’. We think this is a fitting tribute.’’