The seven stone sheep, located in Shipley’s Well Croft, were installed earlier this year. Bradford Council and Shipley Town Council worked together to involve four local primary schools.
The sculptures pay tribute to the town’s heritage—Shipley is derived from the Old English meaning for “sheep pasture”—and the installation also included planting a mixed shrub and herbaceous bed, with a wildflower grass meadow.
Councillor Rhona North, chair of Shipley Town Council, said: “People have responded so well to the new sculptures and I thought it would be great to take suggestions from local children as to what they should be called.
“The names have all been so carefully considered and we were delighted by all the wonderful suggestions.”
Pupils from Saltaire Primary, Wycliffe CE Primary, Shipley CE Primary, and St Walburga’s Catholic Primary schools helped choose the names, which include Glenda, celebrating Shipley Glen.
Other names include Penny, celebrating Shipley’s position on the edge of the South Pennines; Noor, meaning light, celebrating Shipley’s cultural diversity and the contribution of its South Asian community; Titus, named in honour of Sir Titus Salt and his lasting legacy to the area; Barbara, for the pun lovers; Hockney, celebrating the life and local connections of David Hockney; and Ewe-nity, a playful celebration of community, togetherness and belonging.
Councillor Andrew Judson, Bradford Council’s executive member for economy, regeneration, and planning, said: “The sculptures have fast become a welcome addition to the town centre.
“They were each designed, hand-carved, and polished by the artist in Yorkshire with the intention that they were tactile and children could play on them and enjoy them.
“So, it’s fitting that school children have named them.”
The development of the market square, which has been delivered by Bradford Council, was funded by £3 million acquired through the Government-funded Shipley Towns Fund – a £25 million pot to regenerate the area.
A further £1 million has come from Streets for People funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Gill Thornton, chair of the Shipley Towns Fund, said: “These wonderful sheep sculptures are a beautiful reflection of Shipley’s heritage, and are part of our wider work in the town centre.
“They are such an appealing feature and have been so well-received alongside the rest of the improvements.
“The names – and the reasons they have been suggested – are representative of Shipley’s past and importantly, our future.”
A graphic with a key identifying the sheep by their names will be on display outside Shipley Library.