The media launch for the exciting Lions of Windsor & Maidenhead 2019 sculpture trail saw a mini-pride of lion sculptures and cubs, lion sponsors, artists and event supporters gather on a beautifully sunny day at the Royal Windsor Pub, overlooked by the magnificent Windsor Castle.
The decorated lions glinted in the glorious sunshine and young artists from St George’s School and South Ascot Village School enjoyed meeting the lion cubs they will soon be painting.
Equally eye-catching were lion artists Andrew Logan and Anna Kompaniets. Anna has worked with Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen and could be seen putting the finishing touches to her Berry’s Jewellers lion.
Guests of honour were the Mayor and Mayoress of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the very aptly named Cllr Paul Lion and Mrs Laura Lion! Here with the fabulous sculptor Andrew Logan, creator of the luminous ‘The King and I’, complete with gold leaf mane and bejewelled crown.
Windsor artist Liv Clarke ran a school lion crown-making workshop and the lion sculpture created by artist and textile designer Kaffe Fassett MBE, sponsored by Ehrman Tapestry, arrived freshly painted from his London studio.
We were delighted to welcome new Gold Event Sponsor LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and some of the Lions of Windsor founding sponsors, including: Daniel Department Store, Kris Cruisers, Windsor & Eton Brewery, The Gallery at Ice, Castle Fine Art, Cote Brasserie, Eton College, Berry’s Jewellers, Allen Ford, The Cinnamon Cafe, The Fox & Castle, Ehrman Tapestry, St George’s School and South Ascot Village School.
Guests enjoyed ‘Roarsome’ Bucks Fizz cocktails, lion cakes and a short presentation about the event before meeting the roarsome pride on the decked terrace overlooked by Windsor Castle. Local media photographers captured the happy pride of sponsors, artists, children, lions, cubs and guests.
Lauren and the team from LEGOLAND Windsor Resort meeting the Lions of Windsor, including Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Paul Lion and Mrs Laura Lion!
The Lion Team – Administrator Frances Sidi, Creative Director and award-winning Windsor designer Lisa Todd, and Event Organiser Megan Witty. See the Lion Team Page for further details
Martin Hamblin from Ice Experience and Julia Hennessey from the cancer charity Look Good Feel Better – one of the Lions of Windsor charity beneficiaries
The Thames Hospice team – fundraising for their new state of the art hospice at Bray Lake, Maidenhead
Bob Morrison and Charlotte Thomson from Windsor & Eton Brewery
Andrew Logan, ‘The King and I’ and Mayor Lion!
The press were then invited onto a Kris Cruisers boat for a short cruise up river with Andrew Logan’s lion taking pride of place on the deck. Passing boats, bystanders and the local goose and swan population were amazed to see a bright pink lion figurehead floating past!
Nothing to see here, just taking a gander at a lion on a boat…
Lion Ahoy!
PLEASE SEE A VIDEO OF THE EVENT HERE!
Photographs: © Maureen McLean Photography. (Boat photos – Megan Witty)
If sharing, please credit Maureen McLean Photography