Sponsor toad in tribute to poet Larkin
Businesses are being asked to sponsor 100 fibreglass toads in tribute to poet Philip Larkin.
The Larkin 25 Committee hopes to put the toads at spots across Hull – despite the council withdrawing its funding offer.
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From left, Larkin25 programme director Emily Penn, Larkin25 chairman Professor Graham Chesters with the first sponsor Mike Killoran, of Princes Quay.
Now, members need to raise almost £200,000 through sponsorship.
Businesses are being asked to pledge around £2,750 per toad.
A spokesman for the Larkin 25 Committee, said: "The project is seeking support from organisations to help bring this exciting project to the streets of Hull this summer.
"Early indications are that businesses are very interested and we are hopeful of raising substantial funds."
Princes Quay Shopping Centre is the first business to sponsor a toad.
Mike Killoran, centre manager, believes the project – called Larkin with Toads – could help attract tourists into Hull.
He said: "The toads will attract tourists to the city. I believe businesses should put their name to it and the city will be rewarded as a result."
A similar project in Liverpool, involving models of lambs, brought in around £14m to the economy.
So far, 30 potential sponsors have expressed an interest in Hull.
Artists are beginning to submit their ideas to Artlink, in Princes Avenue, west Hull, which will select the best design.
As previously reported in the Mail, it is hoped the toads will be in their positions by July 17.
It would coincide with the return of the Clipper fleet to Hull after the round-the-world race.
An education project, which will involve children from every school in the city, has not been affected by the withdrawal of funding.
The Larkin 25 project, which will last 25 weeks, includes a broad programme of cultural events.
It will culminate on December 2, the 25th anniversary of Larkin's death, with the unveiling of a statue of the poet at Hull Paragon Station.
Hull City Council said it could not justify spending taxpayers' cash on the project, as previously reported.
Businesses interested in sponsoring one of the toads is asked to call the committee on (01482) 486540.
49 Comments
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by Bob, Hull
Friday, March 19 2010, 6:30AM
“D86 - I'm arguing for more democracy, more involvement of everyone not just an elite clique of arty-farty types. I really don't care if I lose the argument as long as I have had my say and been outvoted by the majority. But judging from all the comments here you lot who want these toads are outvoted, the majority of contributors are against this silly project - end of story. People like Ranter, Pov, Glenroy Charles - Cott etc speak a lot of sense.”
by Marc, Willerby Road
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:08PM
“What a waste of time and money”
by Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Hull
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:45PM
“The poem's about Larkin not having the balls to quit his day-job which he hates, am I right?”
by Ranter, Hull.
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:32PM
“During World War 2, Mr Larkin was excused from service, due to his bad eyesight, and allowed to pursue his studies. Must have made a good recovery though to be able to perve across Pearson park from his top floor flat for inspiration.
Some of the old war reels show a lot of servicemen wearing "Eric Morcambe" style glasses though dont they.
By the way, Larkins old man was a great fan of German policies and attended a couple of Nurrenburg rallies. Nice.........”
by Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Hull
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:31PM
“Good luck to whoever's organising this with the donations, but in reference to the poem I wonder what message this is sending out about the city.”
by Hullbloke, Hull
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:30PM
“There is a plaque to David Whitfield on Freetown way. Its the size of a a 12" pizza box and if you blink you miss it when walking past.
Likewise the memorial to the people killed in the Prudential Tower in Queen Victoria Squ in WW2. That doubels up as a manhole cover.
The Larkin celebrations are a lot more than a load of toads. Although I emailed the person organising it two months asking to be involved and I'm still waiting for a reply.”
by Random, East Riding
Thursday, March 18 2010, 9:29PM
“D86, I agree totally with you. Anyone with a brain will tell you the sucess of the superlambananas in Liverpool. People come from all over the see them, they've been created by different artists and it's exciting to find a new one. If I had enough money I would sponsore a toad. I'm definately going to submit a design for one.
Bob, no one is forcing anything on you. If you don't want to get involved then don't. Since this isn't going to be paid for by tax payers money I don't understand your beef”
by D86, here!
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:07PM
“Bob, there is enough room in this city to keep everyone's tastes happy. It's not like it's being thrust upon you! Will these toads cause you to change your daily routine? will they bullocks!
If you don't like them, don't put yourself out in coming to see them.
I'm sure the rest of us who want something different to do in this city will go spend our day in the city centre and enjoy it.
You call yourself 'the people' as though you are speaking for everyone.
So Bob, what is YOUR version of culture? as we who're(apparently) arty farty types probably won't like your 'own way' of everything being dull and boring. I bet you'd be happy with Hull being the masterplan of Victor Meldrew.”
by Bob, Hull
Thursday, March 18 2010, 6:17PM
“"Why can't people embrace modern, contemporary culture in this city?"
What you really mean is your version of "culture", yuour vision, basically you want your own way over the rest of us. That is so typical of the "I've been to University" brigade. Well so have I, I lectured there for 6 years and while there are some very good people there, there are also a lot of deadbeats posing as "intellectuals" because they want a degree to look middle class.
Times have changed - the people are no longer afarid of telling their "superiors" to get stuffed, we want more democracy, not less, so you can stuff your "culture" (or your version of culture) where the sun doesn't shine and accept that the people do not want a bunch of ponsy arty farty types dictating what we can and cannot do. No toads - live with it and stop whinging.”
by D86, here!
Thursday, March 18 2010, 5:58PM
“Steve, Larkin called Hull "a frightful dump" when he first arrived in the 1950s. You may not know, but a few years before his arrival to the city, something called World War 2 happened. During World War 2, Kingston-Upon-Hull was the second most bombed city in the U.K. which is probably why he described it as it was.
He had nothing but good words for the city in later life.
Why can't people embrace modern, contemporary culture in this city? Everyone comes on here eager to moan how other cities have this n' that going on there, then when something's happening here it's too "arty farty", yet if it was elsewhere, it'd be "Oh Hull's no good, why can't we have something like *enter place name here* has!??"
It's no longer coming out of taxpayer's money - so, why moan?
He may not have been born here, but this is the city which inspired him to write his work. These toads are to take people on a journey across the sights of the city which inspired him - if it's too arty farty for you, stay at home and watch something more meaningful to your life, such as Ant n' Dec and leave the rest of us to sample the unusual and uncommon sights.
I hope these are a success and bring lots of money into the economy. I also hope none of the moaners benefit from 1 penny of it!”