As the hugely popular Puffins Galore! draws to a close on Sunday 16 April, plans are ramping up for the Grand Puffin Auction at West Building Supplies in Bridlington, on Saturday 13 May.
For those who’ve fallen in love with the giant puffins, which have graced Hull and the East Riding since July 2022, this will be a unique opportunity to bid for one of fourteen puffins being auctioned by Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers.
The puffins not included in the auction have been purchased by their sponsors and will be going to their new homes after auction day. Some of these will still be on public display.
All 42 puffins will be leaving their current homes at the end of the trail and will be joining a new Puffinry in Bridlington, where a crack team of Puffin restoration experts will give them some TLC, before they go on display at West Building Supplies on selected dates from Friday 5 May until Friday 12 May, prior to auction day, giving puffin fans a chance to see them all in one place.
Since launching last year, Puffins Galore! has been a tremendous success, attracting over two hundred thousand people to the area to spot puffins using the online app and Spotter’s Guide. Running along the East Yorkshire Coast from Bempton to Kilnsea and inland Hull and East Yorkshire, the sculptures have engaged people of all ages.
Profits from the sponsor purchase and the auction will be distributed between the project’s charity partners, RNLI, RSPB, Hornsea Inshore Rescue and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The auction will be conducted by Gilbert Baitson Auctioneers of Hull who previously auctioned the Larkin Toads and Amy Johnson Moths.
Andrew Baitson said: “We just love auctioning these wonderful animal sculptures. They generate so much interest and there’s a very special excitement in the room when they come under the hammer – and of course it’s great to get the very best price so that the charities all benefit.”
Kerry Carruthers, Chief Executive for Yorkshire Coast BID said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be involved in such a creative project that has really brought together areas across the Yorkshire Coast, as well as driving footfall to the area. This final chapter for the puffins is a fantastic way to give back and support some of our well-respected charity partners.”
Anthony Clappison, Managing Director at Risby Fishing Ponds and Folly Lake Cafe says: “Since it arrived in the summer, our puffin, ‘Star Gansey’ by Clare West, has brought thousands of visitors to Risby Fishing Ponds. It’s been a fantastic attraction and we have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the community that the Puffins Galore! team has created. We are all looking forward to seeing what they come up with next!”
David Donkin, Wykeland Property Director said: “We are excited to see the puffin , ‘Where Sea Meets Shore’ by Evie Grace Caldwell, remain at our Flemingate centre in Beverley as it has been very popular with visitors since it arrived last summer. The puffin’s new home will be inside Art & Soul, the independent retailer that stocks over 100 artists and makers’ work at their Beverley store, so the public can continue to come and enjoy it every day.”
Jane Berriman from Art & Soul said: “We have watched the Puffin through the shop window as it has brought so much joy to people so we are so pleased that everyone will still be able to come and see it in Art & Soul.”
Director of Puffins Galore!, Rick Welton says:
“We estimate that approximately 200,000 people will have participated in the sculpture trail. It has encouraged visitors to quieter parts of the East Yorkshire Coast and raised awareness of local businesses and organisations. The feedback we have received shows this to be a very worthwhile project for everyone involved.
“This has been a project that has captured the public’s imagination. We would like to thank funders from Yorkshire Coast BID, Visit East Yorkshire, our artists, our sponsors, Puffin Pals and everyone who took part in the sculpture trail.”
The puffins will be on display on the following dates:
Friday 5 May: 10am – 4pm.
Saturday 6 May (King Charles; Coronation): 10am – 12pm.
Sunday 7 May: Closed.
Monday 8 May (Bank Holiday) to Friday 12 May: 10am – 4pm.
On Saturday 13 May, the auction will open at 11am for bidding to start at 12pm.
