Rams set to go marching as excitement builds for city centre trail

The countdown to the launch of the Derby Ram Trail – a spectacular sculpture trail backed by Marketing Derby and a host of Bondholders – has begun.

Devised by Derby Museums, Wild in Art and the Cathedral Quarter, the trail, which is set to launch on 27 May, will feature 30 ram sculptures dotted around the city centre.

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Many of the 5ft tall rams, which have each been uniquely decorated by local artists, have been sponsored by local businesses and organisations, including Marketing Derby and numerous Bondholders.

Each bespoke ram will be on display outside key city landmarks, such as the new Museum of Making, the Council House and Derby Cathedral, until 22 August.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “The Ram Trail is a really creative and fun way to bring people back into the city centre and Marketing Derby is delighted to play a part.”

To follow the trail, people are being asked to download a free ‘Derby Ram Trail’ app, which has been devised by Bloc Digital.

Available to download from the App Store and Google Play, it will allow users to create their own bespoke trail around the city. A free map will also be available to help navigate the trail.

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The Derby Ram Trail is being led by Derby Museums, in partnership with Wild in Art, a creative producer of spectacular free public art, which has been bringing accessible art to cities across the world.

Tony Butler, executive director at Derby Museums, said: “The Ram Trail is all about making art publicly accessible, offering something truly unique to all who visit Derby this summer.

“Walking, cycling – or even jogging – around the Ram Trail will be a fantastic way to discover Derby in a way that’s never been seen before.

“Be ready for eye-catching colours, dramatic designs and magnificent murals, which sets the stage for a ‘Ramtastic’ summer.”

The Derby Ram Trail has been made possible thanks to an army of sponsors, including headline partners Bloc Digital, Rolls-Royce, St Peters Quarter and Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, supported by Bloc Creative, Essential Print Services and Middlebrook Transport.

Bondholders who have sponsored a ram include Compendium Living, Cosy, Derbion, Derby City Council, Derby County, Derby Telegraph, East Midlands Railway, Smith Partnership, University of Derby, Timms Solicitors, Treetops Hospice and Wathall’s.

Each ram has been decorated by a local artist. For example, the design for Marketing Derby’s ram, called ‘Captain Stone’, has been created by esteemed comic book artist Liam Sharp, who was born and raised in Derby and now works in the US.

Once the Derby Ram Trail has finished in August, all 30 rams will be brought together again for the ‘Ram-union’, before they are auctioned off on 9 September.

Money raised will go to Derby Museums’ Endowment Fund, helping to secure its future. All funds raised through the trail will be doubled with match funding from the National Lottery Heritage Endowment Fund.

To find out more about the Derby Ram Trail, visit derbyramtrail.org.