Pigs in Bath

  On a casual spring stroll around Bath, in 2008, we came across a tiny warehouse. The small, wooden door was ajar so we took a peek. Imagine our surprise as more than twenty pairs of piggy eyes met ours! They were alabaster white, immaculate and all the same, but not for long.

  King Bladud’s Pigs in Bath was the brainchild of Gitte Dawson. Inspired by a recent trip to Germany, where she discovered storks adorning the Danube, Gitte returned to Bath and the art event was born.  

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  So, we fell in love with the beautifully sculpted piggies (by 

Alan Dunn) and approached the businessman of the enterprise, Justin Braithwaite. We sponsored a pig and chose ourselves to be the artists. 

  Back at home Nige was coming up with ideas. We never really got any further than the first one though, Hammy Houdini, the Great Escpigologist. It was the chains that did it…

"Look gang, something like this but with chains on...ok?"

  With the design complete, it was up to us all to bring Hammy to life! Well, almost… The base coat was the easiest part and also the fastest as we could all muck in…

…though we did leave Nige to do the orange highlights!

  The bathing costume took an incredible amount of time. By now Harry and Gabe's interest had started to wane so it was down to me and Nige to get stripy! 

All dressed now...

  Add a little facial hair, beady eyes and the all-important key…

Hammy Houdini or Hercule Poirot?

…for the impenetrable chains and he’s alive!

"Back on the chain gang..."

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  We knew the day would come when Hammy would have to take his place and his chances with all the other pigs in Bath so we sent him off in style. 

  With a few choice friends we raised a glass at our very own ‘Hog Toast’, shared a kiss and shed a tear *sniff*.

  The next day we escorted Hammy Houdini back to the warehouse where it all began some two months before. 

He wasn’t alone though… he found a lady ♥♥♥

Hammy Houdini and Hambag

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  In September, 2008, Hammy Houdini took up his duties as King Bladud’s Pig in The Courtyard on North Parade Passage.  

Doesn’t he look happy?

He soon made new friends. 

Some were lovely…

…some were a little, um, odd…

…and one was just very, very cautious!

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  On the 1^st October, King Bladud’s Pigs went up for auction.

  Hammy Houdini went for £1,350 and is currently residing in Bradley Stoke. Not at all bad for our humble porker.

  The charity (The Two Tunnels), made £200,000 in total!