Hull City Council has announced it is supporting a major cultural trail to be held in 2025, as details of a commitment of funds to Puffins Galore Ltd have been released.
A Mischief of Rats will bring up to 50 giant artist-decorated rat sculptures to Hull and East Yorkshire for Summer 2025. Standing 6ft tall, each rat sculpture will be a unique artwork that will bring vibrancy, colour and joy to its surroundings.
The project follows previous successful trails of puffins, moths and toads, and will see a Grand Charity Auction at the end raising much-needed funds to support The Daisy Appeal, a charity which helps people living with cancer, heart disease and dementia.
The inspiration for A Mischief of Rats was Hull musician Mick Ronson, who was best known as lead guitarist with David Bowie’s ‘Spiders from Mars’. His home band was ‘The Rats’.
Mick and the local Hull and East Yorkshire music scene will be one of the themes that artists will be invited to follow in their designs. Other themes include health and medical science, rats in literature, TV and cinema, rats, ships and the sea and rats made beautiful through imaginative makeovers.
Councillor Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council said: “Hull has already seen how popular the puffins, moths and toads proved for the city, and I expect a Mischief of Rats to attract visitors from far and wide.
“These trails make a significant contribution to the business economy of the area, with so many people making a trip to wherever the rats are located. Shopping centres, markets, hospitality and leisure businesses can all benefit from an influx of visitors as people are encouraged to explore the city.”
Project co-director Rick Welton said: “This is a great vote of confidence as Hull City Council joins our many local companies and organisations sponsoring A Mischief of Rats.
“We hope to have a trail of these cheeky sculptures in locations across the city making summer 2025 the summer of rats!
“Just as many people didn’t like the idea of the Larkin Toads but soon came to love them, we think that our mischievous rats will soon become just as adorable.”
The council funding will be used to commission two of the sculptures, with the trail beginning in summer 2025.
