March of the Elephants (Part Two)

Be honest now, you didn't think that my Sutton Coldfield Saturday a couple of weeks back would give me enough elephant spotting for one summer did you? Of course not! Knowing that there are other sculptures out there in the wild, I had to set about seeing the Staffordshire half of the herd...

- Flora -

This Lichfield leg of the trail commences with ‘Flora’ who can be found at Speaker’s Corner, overlooking Minster Pool from the Dam Street railings. With gold-leafed embellishments to her lively depictions of birds, flowers and butterflies, she apparently is able to glow in the dark. As a side note, this location was established in 2009 as a soapbox setting for free speech and other public performances; one wonders which topics might be close to Flora's own heart?

- Staffie -

Next up is ‘Staffie’ who has seemingly struck up a friendship with St Chad’s Statue over on The Close. The toothy gargoyles of Lichfield Cathedral form a fantastical backdrop to this one, while the theme represents Staffordshire’s varied landscapes. Sutton Coldfield Town Hall and Tamworth’s bandstand are referenced - along with the Cathedral - as a way of highlighting the three towns which the elephants are temporarily calling home.

- Eternal Life -

The cathedral is Lichfield’s principal March of the Elephants hub, with merchandise available from the gift shop and several sculptures in attendance. ‘Eternal Life’ is the biggest of those present, distinctively decorated with a butterfly on one flank and phoenix wings on the other, both sides styled so as to resemble leaded stained glass windows - very effective!

- Pip -

As with Worcester's waddling penguins, there are sculptures large and small vying for our attention. We are therefore pleased to make the acquaintance of ‘Pip’ - amusingly resembling a watermelon with pinkish flesh and a striped green outer layer - as one of the mini-elephant creations who resides within the cathedral's safe haven.

- Time For Tea -

Three elephants form a swift combination in and around the Three Spires shopping centre, albeit this is the most popular bit of the trail with children almost everywhere. ‘Time for Tea’ riffs on the Alice in Wonderland story by dropping in on the Mad Hatter’s tea party - think pop art portrayals of the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts and a cheeky-looking Alice herself.

- Henry the Elephant -

With the March Hare consulting his pocket watch, we press on and make the acquaintance of ‘Henry the Elephant’ who posits a playful resemblance to King Henry VIII, hence red breeches and gingery beard. Wade Street is then where we can bump into ‘Nellie’ who has seemingly been tasked with monitoring happenings outside the Garrick Theatre; her spangly appearance takes the circus for its inspiration - Roll up, roll up! indeed.

- Mighty Oak -

To Beacon Park where two of the specimens have set up camp over by the main ornamental flowerbeds. These namely are ‘Fruity Frida’ and ‘Mighty Oak’: Frida is a fruitbowl in trunk and tusk formation adorned with sunflowers, gooseberries, raspberries and plump redcurrants whereas Mighty Oak is a pale green leafy ensemble depicting tawny owls, hedgehogs and inquisitive hares. Both are popular with visitors old and young but especially the young.

- Zoonomia -

Last but not least comes ‘Zoonomia’ over by the park’s Shaw Lane pathway, just after you’ve crossed the little brook. This busy design incorporates all kinds of zoo animals, hence you’ve got one leg of zebra stripes, one of leopard spots and another featuring giraffe splotches. Add in peacock feathers, owl eyes and a snake trunk and you've got a veritable menagerie all morphed together. That's Lichfield's elephants duly located, just the Tamworth set to come.