The Pig Reveal...

The wait is finally over! Our very own ‘Pepper Pig’ has now been unveiled at our Education Centre at Fore Street in Ipswich, as part of Suffolk’s biggest ever mass participation, public art event.

Today (Monday 27 June) marks the very first day of the Pigs Gone Wild trail, with scores of larger than life pig sculptures dotted around Ipswich town centre and the Waterfront for the public to enjoy for the next 10 weeks.

Pigs Gone Wild is being brought to the town by St Elizabeth Hospice and Wild in Art. Along with the larger pig sculptures, there will also be litters of junior pig sculptures that have been designed by local students and teachers.

We were crowned official ‘Pigsty Partner’ for the Pigs Gone Wild project back in March and, until their recent escape to take up their rightful places in town, had been providing all pigs with a place to call home at our warehouse on Boss Hall Industrial Park.

Designed and painted by freelance artist Susan Webber, the unique fresh vegetable design was hand-picked by us earlier this year; “I saw the call for artists to design a pig and loved the idea that the humble piggy could be transformed into something else, helping her escape her everyday pink piggy life.

“I love to make things look real, building up layers of paint and getting shading, texture and shape just right. I hope everyone in Ipswich enjoys seeing Pepper in her full glory this summer, and that families take the opportunity to have lots of fun photos with her!”

The interactive trail is expected to attract thousands of tourists throughout the summer. People following the trail will have an opportunity to collect points using the Pigs Gone Wild app and receive discounts and special offers from the local businesses that have sponsored each pig.

Also official stockists of the Pigs Gone Wild sticker books and stickers, over 60 of our stores in and around Ipswich will be selling supplies throughout the trail. A full list is available here.

At the end of the trail, the junior pigs will be returned to their schools and the larger pigs will be auctioned off to raise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice. All the money raised will go towards providing care and support to more than 2,000 local people and their families, at home, in the community and at the hospice. 

Pepper Pig will on display at our Education Centre right up until the end of the trail on Friday 2nd September. We will be hosting a free family fun day on Friday 29th July and would love to see your photos throughout the trail - post them up on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #PepperPigCoop.