In June and July 2010 thousands of visitors flocked to Cartmel to follow the Cartmel Sheepy Village! trail, culminating in a Grand Sheepy Auction at the Racecourse Grandstand on 17 July.
To date, £11,000 has been raised for Bay Search & Rescue, and the barometer is still rising. The auction alone raised £5,500 - Fourteen sheep were auctioned for an average of £170 each, along with numerous generous lots donated by local businesses. Lord Cavendish’s bid secured that their mascot sheep, Red Ram, would remain at Cartmel Racecourse. Cliff Dixon of CNJ media and Mandy Dixon, manager of the new look K - Village, bid for two sheep that will be used as BS&R collection boxes in Kendal’s shopping centres. The most sought after lot - a ride on the BS&R airboat - went for £280.
The overwhelming interest and support for this project has resulted in Cartmel - Sheepy Village! becoming an annual event in Cumbria’s cultural calendar, with support from Cumbria Tourism, Cartmel Racecourse and Cartmel businesses. Plans are well underway for Cartmel - Sheepy Village! 2011 and the organisers have already been approached by a dozen people eagerly wanting to sponsor the new flock.
“Our aims have always been simple - to raise some funds for BS&R and have fun, whilst engaging with the many extraordinary people we have in our local community. The total raised is phenomenal as we only ever expected to see less than half that amount. The funds will go towards vital equipment and running costs for a charity that is run by local volunteers, committed to making the Bay a safer place. It is impossible to estimate the additional financial benefits for Cartmel businesses, but those involved have reported on improved takings during the six week event, and people are already talking about Cartmel - Sheepy Village! 2011, which is just fantastic.” Sandy Kitching, Sheepy PR liaison & website designer.
Fundraising continues and people can continue to support BS&R by purchasing a souvenir Cartmel Sheepy Village! calendar (£5) from one of the Cartmel businesses. The project has been managed by four local friends, who have donated all their time and professional services for no fees: Helen and Alastair Bramwell, Bramwell International; Richard English, The Cavendish Arms; and Sandy Kitching, Early Bird Design Associates. Mike Davis from Northern Print Distribution has been the enthusiastic and unflappable liaison with the charity, who works as a Bay Search & Rescue team operative. People interested in sponsoring a sheep for 2011 can contact Richard English on 015395 36240.
