Town's dog sculpture reinstalled after crowdfunder

Side view of a black sculpture of a stalking dog on a stone wall above a river. The dog resembles a border collie when it is stalking sheep - its head is low and its back is raised with its tail tucked in.Image source, Bridport Town Council
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Crowdfunding supporters attended the unveiling of the recast sculpture

  • Published

A popular sculpture of a dog has been reinstalled after a crowdfunding appeal to get it recast.

Stalking Dog, by Greta Berlin, was removed from the weir outside Palmers Brewery in Bridport in May after corrosion made it unsafe.

The dog, based on Berlin's family pet, Queenie, had been displayed as part of the Bridport art trail.

Campaigners raised more than £6,000 to get it recast in resin and, on Monday, a ceremony was held to unveil the replica.

Ros Huxley, Anne Rickard and Greta Berlin pose for the cameras on the narrow wooden bridge over the weir next to the black sculpture of the stalking dog. Anne Rickard is wearing mayoral chains. All three are wearing glasses and soft peaked caps.Image source, Bridport Town Council
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Queenie was unveiled by writer Ros Huxley, mayor Anne Rickard and sculptor Greta Berlin

Art trail curator Cleo Evans and author Ros Huxley launched the crowdfunder, with the support of the sculptor and local businesses.

The original was returned to the artist for repairs before a specialist mould maker cast a new version of Queenie.

A spokesperson for Bridport Town Council said: "It was Cleo and Ros's energy, creativity, and sheer persistence that made this possible.

"Without them, she wouldn't be back in place.

"Thanks to the generosity of the community, including many of whom attended an unveiling on Monday, the target was reached ahead of time."

Front view of a black sculpture of a stalking dog on a stone wall next to a weir mechanism. The dog resembles a border collie when it is stalking sheep - its head is low and its back is raised with its tail tucked in.Image source, Neil Barnes
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The dog stands above the weir outside Palmers Brewery

The town council also thanked Palmers for match funding and offering brewery tours as part of the fundraising efforts.

The money raised also included a fee for the sculptor, who has loaned her artworks to the town free of charge.

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