Duffield artist set to design giant ram for hospice with poignant message

Artist Lynne Hollingsworth with the giant ram.

Lynne Hollingsworth, who has exhibited for members of the royal family, is set to design and decorate a ram for Treetops Hospice Care to be featured as part of this year’s Derby Ram Trail.

The trail, which was originally due to take place last summer but was cancelled due to coronavirus, encourages people to embark on a journey around Derby, enjoying 30 unique and colourful giant ram sculptures designed and painted by different artists.

The Treetops ram will be called ‘Memories Fade but Warmth Remains’ – symbolising love and remembrance. It will feature short messages from the hospice’s bereavement clients along stems, leaves and petals painted by Lynne.

The artist has incorporated a forget-me-not into the design, which is used widely by dementia charities and hospitals, alongside a sunflower to symbolise warmth and loyalty.

Lynne said: “It was important to combine the symbolism of the two flowers to create a message about the power of enduring love – that memories can fade but the warmth of the human spirit continues to shine.

“The design is upbeat and uplifting with the flowers transforming into butterflies, symbolising renewal and the life cycle.

“It can be read on many levels including organ donation, remembrance and gratitude.

"I hope it is a design that will give hope and comfort to those who engage with it on whatever level.”

The Derby Ram Trail will take place from May 27 to August 22.

Treetops chief executive Julie Heath said she was thrilled for the hospice to be taking part.

She said: “We can’t wait for the start of the ram trail and for visitors to come and enjoy the beautiful design created by Lynne.

"We’re also delighted that she will be able to incorporate some short messages and tributes from our bereavement counselling clients into the artwork, as this makes the ram especially poignant for us.

“We look forward to sharing details of Lynne’s painting progress with our patients, clients, volunteers and staff in the coming weeks.”