Arty types in Shipley are baa-gaining on a good turnout for the unveiling of the town's new sculpture tomorrow.
The piece of public art, depicting a sheep in sunglasses basking under a parasol on a mosaic bench, is already getting people talking - and it's certainly dividing opinion.
It cost £12,000 and has taken pride of place in the Market Square.
Rumour has it that a flock of sheep borrowed from Bradford City Farm will be among those watching the unveiling. The people behind the community-based project are hoping people will take a break from shopping and chores to watch the opening.
The artwork, made mainly of cast stone, followed a series of public consultations and workshops after the Princess Diana planter, where it stands, had been kept bare by hungry pigeons.
The majority of people wanted a sheep to be included in the piece, because the name "Shipley" translates as "sheep meadow" and that's exactly what artist Mowenna Catt gave them.
Money for the project came from the Government's Cleaner, Safer, Greener Communities scheme and project co-ordinator Jackie Luckham, of Shipley's Kirkgate Studios, is happy with the result.
"It's brilliant and it's getting people talking. It's definitely putting a smile on people's faces. It's quirky and it's fun - just what Shipley needs."
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Elaine Byrom, will be unveiling the statue and street entertainment will include face-painting, a balloon modelling clown and - weather permitting - donkey rides from 10am to 1pm.
e-mail: kathie.griffiths @telegraphandargus.co.uk
What some people thought:
Andrea Chester, 52, of Shipley: "It's horrible. The sheep looks starving. The poor thing should be fatter, I don't like it."
Barbara Doran, 66, of Baildon: "I'd have put something more traditional there instead. To me, it looks like ET on a bad day."
Civil Servant Bev Neeley, 42, of Shipley, said: "The mosaics remind me of those in Barcelona - the type of thing Gaudi did."
Tom Pratt, 29, also of Shipley, said: "It makes a refreshing change from putting up a statue of someone who no-one knows anything about. The sheep's a bit of fun."
Architecture student Rishmal Wigglesworth, 21, of Shipley: "I really like it. There's nothing else like it in Shipley. It's something very different. It's going to be a talking point, certainly."
Jack Gomersal, 77, of Shipley: "I think it's been a good idea. It might draw people into the town to see it, Shipley needs it. If it does, that's great but if it doesn't we haven't lost a thing."
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