The cleaning cr-ewe who keep our Ram Trail in top condition
FROM Ram Gogh to Rameses, the Derby Ram Trail has brought fun and excitement to people of all ages in Derby and beyond.
Visitors from across the country have come to our city specifically to take on the trail, with thousands praising it as both a fun activity and a cultural boost as the city emerged from lockdown.
But behind the trail are a team of volunteers who, over the past three months, have been working hard to maintain, clean, and – at times – fix the 30 sculptures across the three-mile trail.
we joined them as they went on their weekly round to check on and care for the Rams, who have come to feel like family for the cr-ewe while they have kept the sculptures looking pristine.
“To have the opportunity to be part of the team, supporting the Rams Trail, has been a joy,” said Melissa Nicklin, a retired nurse.
“To see visitors’ enthusiasm and happiness when they see the Rams is wonderful.
“After such a difficult time through
Covid, it has given me such hope and seeing such accessible art in Derby is a credit to the artists and the team who facilitated the Rams Trail.”
The crew come from across the city and a range of backgrounds, but all say that the trail has had a positive impact on the city.
They also add that they will be sad to see them go, with the Rams in place until tomorrow, after being let out for their ram-ble in late May.
They will then be together for the final time at the Ramunion farewell event taking place in the city from Friday September 3, to Sunday, September
5. There they will be joined by the 80 mini rams that have been designed by schoolchildren from across Derby.
Before the farewell event, they will be given a final check to ensure they are in the same condition as when they were first released ahead of the sculptures being auctioned off on Thursday, September 9.
The checks are carried out by the trail’s two maintenance artists, Lynne Hollingsworth and Jess Perrin.
Both Jess and Lynne have designed rams on the trail, with Jess being behind the Secret R.A.M placed next to the Bonnie Prince statue and Lynne being the mastermind behind Play, outside Primark, and Memories Fade But Warmth Remains by Derby Bus Station.
Every fortnight they have been out to repair cosmetic damage to the sculptures, such as cracks and scratches, although Lynne says at times there has been more significant damage.
She said: “The people of Derby have really looked after these Rams, I’ve been really impressed. They’ve been well looked after by the public, also well looked after by the volunteers.