PLACE YOUR BIDS!  BARGAIN HUNT PRESENTER CHARLIE ROSS TO AUCTION MERMAID TAILS

The end of The Great Tail Trail was shell-ebrated in style at the Bournemouth International Centre with an action-packed Farewell Weekend that saw all 88 mermaid tail sculptures displayed together under one roof, raising an estimated £8,000 for Julia’s House children’s hospice charity. More than 2,000 visitors were keen to capture one final selfie with their favourite tail and join in an array of fun activities and games, meet the artists and paint their own mini mermaid tail sculpture.

 

Each of the giant sculptures has been beautifully designed and painted by a tail-ented and acclaimed artist. After delighting visitors to The Great Tail Trail throughout Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, these one-off artworks are now going under the hammer on Friday 20 June to raise vital funds for Julia's House. Professional auctioneer Charlie Ross, presenter of BBC TV's Bargain Hunt, will lead the auction in the beautiful surroundings of The Italian Villa at Compton Acres. 

 

“It was wonderful to see all the tails together for the very last time at the Farewell Weekend,” says Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia's House. “We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the trail or joined us at the Bournemouth International Centre – you have helped to make The Great Tail Trail a truly memorable event.

 

"Sadly, we're nearing the end of our Great Tail Trail adventure, but there's still time for our mer-mazing tails to make one final splash at our Grand Auction evening," adds Laura. "We'd love it if every single sculpture could find a new home - they are all beautiful and unique pieces of art that deserve to be pride of place somewhere special. All the money raised at the auction will help Julia's House continue its lifeline of care for seriously ill children across Dorset and bring support and comfort to their families - there's no better reason to place your bids!"

 

 

Anyone wishing to bid can join the auction in person for a VIP experience including a welcome drink, barbeque and front row seats. Once you've finished admiring the striking sculptures against the stunning backdrop of Compton Acres gardens, you'll get to enjoy the buzz of the auction room and go head-to-head with other bidders to win your favourite design.

 

You can view the catalogue and register to attend the auction evening by visiting  https://www.juliashouse.org/auction_registration

 

If you can't make it to the auction in person, there's no need to miss out, as Julia's House will be live-streaming the event from 7.30pm. Go online and bid from the comfort of your own home or simply watch in real-time as the much-loved mermaid tails find their forever homes.  There's no need to wait for the auction evening, either, as bidding is already open - so you can dive in and place your bids now!  https://gtt.wildinartauctions.com/

 

The Great Tail Trail Grand Auction has been kindly sponsored by specialist engineering company, IMI Poole.