Girlguiding Cardiff & East Glamorgan is taking part in Ty Hafans Snowdogs: Tails in Wales spectacular public art trail.
For 10 weeks this autumn a pack of Snowdogs will take over the streets of Cardiff, iconic buildings and open spaces. Alongside the 40 Snowdog sculptures will be 55 Snowpups, featuring as a mini trail, all supported by local schools, adult learners and community groups.
Girlguiding has four Snowpups, that will all be sited together (you’ll need to check out the trail to find them!). The winning design for Girlguiding Cardiff & East Glamorgan’s Snowpup (from a total of 500 entries) was Lillian Oprava, a 10 year old guide from 6th Cardiff Guides. The Snowpup was painted by two members from Girlguiding Penarth District Senior Section, Amy Hickery (18) and Caroline Pile (21).
I interviewed Lillian about her Snowpup ‘Cookie’ to find out more:
Why did you take part in the design competition?
I have visited several sculpture trails in Bristol before such as Shaun the Sheep and Gromits and had always wanted to be able design one of the sculptures on a trail.
What inspired your design?
My idea was that there are Guide units across the world so that Guides can help people all across the world to be friends. The two hands had a double meaning – firstly to show that everyone can help each other and secondly as an anti-racism message to show that everyone’s different.
How does your design represent/incorporate guiding?
The scarf and ears have red and blue stripes to represent the Guide uniform, as I was thinking that perhaps the Snowpup could go to Guides and the biggest spot has the Girl Guide badge.
How did you agree the name of your Snowpup
After my design had been chosen, the Guides in my unit made suggestions for potential names and then each Guide voted and the suggestion with the most votes was used as the name.
Tell us about your guiding journey so far.
I started Rainbows when I was 5 years old and then continued onto Brownies and then Guides.
The trail launches 16th September and runs until 26th November, with a finale showcase weekend 9th and 10th December before the Snowdogs are auctioned to raise funds for Ty Hafan and the Snowpups will be returned to their sponsor.
Ty Hafan is one of the UK’s leading paediatric palliative care charities and offers the only children’s hospice service in South Wales. More details about the trail can be found here: Snowdogs Tails in Wales
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