Description

This is the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus); it is one of the four species endemic to southern Africa. They face many threats to their survival and are listed on the IUCN Redlist as endangered. This design highlights the fragility of the species. Extinction is not inevitable but they and many other species need our help. Let’s talk about this and plan ways we can all be more wildlife-friendly.

Audio read by: Andrew Easton from BBC Hereford and Worcester

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Artist

Ali Elly Design

With a background in textile design, Ali works from her studio on the Northumberland coastline. She is an environmental artist, whose work is continually inspired by life in the chaotic underwater world. With an emphasis on illustration, she enjoys exploring the aesthetics of many marine species, translating the natural movements and patterns to build bold designs. Ali has her illustrations published in many books and regularly works with organisations around the world to highlight issues of pollution and overfishing. Obsessed with the ocean and the colour blue, her passion for conservation ensures each design begin an interesting conversation.

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Location

04. High Street (Superdrug)

You are stood at the point where Church Street connects The Shambles with the High Street. Church Street is named for the presence of St Swithun’s Church which dominates the narrow passage.

St Swithun’s was founded around nine hundred years ago, when the Bishop of Worcester who owned the land gifted it to the monks of Worcester Priory. Some historians believe that the church is even older than this, being founded in the Anglo-Saxon period.

St Swithun was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop who was said to have performed miracles.

More about this location

04. High Street (Superdrug)

Tradition holds to this day that if it rains on his Feast Day (15th July) on St Swithun’s Bridge, the rain will continue for forty days.

Like many of Worcester’s city centre churches, St Swithun’s was remodelled in the Georgian era. Starting in 1736, much of the medieval church was pulled down, although the tower which dates back over five centuries was left standing. It’s said that the original tower was octagonal in shape. The nave was completely rebuilt, and the tower refaced in fashionable cream-coloured stone.

The Royal Grammar School in Worcester claims to be the sixth oldest school in existence anywhere in the world. It was once housed in a small Georgian schoolhouse which still stands adjoining the church on St. Swithun’s Street. The school moved to its present, much larger site in 1868.

This location fact has been provided by Joe Tierney of Faithful History. To learn more stories of the ancient city of Worcester, spanning thousands of years of history in ‘The Faithful City’, visit https://www.facebook.com/faithfulhistoryworcester

Take home your own feathered friend

In October 2024 all 40 large penguins and one chick will be auctioned to raise funds for the care provided by St Richard’s Hospice.

In 2021, 31 stunning elephant sculptures raised a mammoth £368,800 to support the care provided by St Richard’s Hospice across Worcestershire.

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