Final chance to glimpse giant rat sculptures before the Daisy Appeal auction

The organisers pictured with the Rat sculptures

The 'Mischief Of The Rats' sculpture trail culminates this week, with the aim of raising £250'000 to fund a PET scanner for The Daisy Appeal. The Mischief Of The Rats has been Hull's latest heritage trail, tributing the city's prodigal son of Rock N' Roll, Mick Ronson and his band 'The Rats', an early incarnation of what became 'The Spiders from Mars', David Bowie's band from 1970 to 1973, who were an integral part of his fame and success.

David Bowie and The Spiders from Mars

As with all of Hull's heritage trails (The Phillip Larkin Toads, The Amy Johnson Moths and Puffins Galore), the trail intertwines creativity, personal cause and storytelling. Both Mick Ronson and Trevor Bolder, sadly lost their lives to cancer and this project connects their legacy to the cause. The Daisy Appeal are doing vital research around cutting edge technology that helps with identifying early diagnosis of cancers, dementia and heart disease.

If you're curious to know more about the stories behind Hull's heritage trails, there's a talk at Wrecking Ball Arts Centre this Saturday. https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/Talk-Toads-moths-puffins-and-now-rats.html

Hull's heritage sculptures

22 of the 45 rats will be auctioned of at Princes Quays Event Space, this Saturday at 12pm. Bidding will also occur online. Some of our personal favourites will be up for sale. Including the particularly glamorous 'Believe in People' rat, that Mick Ronson's sister Maggi collaborated on with artists Andy Pea and Nadine Balmer. The rat is sponsored by Renew and represents a visual deceleration of transformation that rejects outdated stereotypes surrounding addiction, and instead boldly emphasises the intrinsic strength and beauty of people on journeys to recovery.

Another favourite of ours is the 'Ticket to Ride' rat, by artist Pip Cook. The rat is essentially a tapestry that has been anointed with Hull's abundance of rich music history and heritage. Pip wanted the rat to be a trip down memory lane for people of all generations. Dating as far back as 'Lois Armstrong, Beverly Road Baths, 1933, through pivotal pieces of cultural timelines; The Beatles era, T Rex and Pink Floyd in the 70's, The Stones Roses, Pulp etc in the 80's, all the way to 2025 with new rising talents like The Rosadocs, Pablo Carrizo and Loose Articles. It's a huge attraction for music lovers of all ages to reminisce.

There's a carefully thought out vision to every rat in the collection, that local artists have spent hours upon hours of meticulous planning and perfectionism to bring to fruition. It is truly is an ode to our creativity and passion.

Pip Cook & her 'ticket to ride' rat

The trail will be on display all of the week for visitors to witness the collection in all it's glory. Entry is just a mere £2, with proceeds going towards the final total. If you want a souvenir, you can also buy, posters, information books, activity books and T shirts.

The Mischief of the Rats has helped weave yet another beautiful heritage story for Hull, a touching homage to our history.