HOGGING the limelight at Haslemere Hall were the first seven life-sized painted pigs in a major fundraiser in aid of the mayor’s charities.

The town mayor, Sahran Abeysundara, took to the stage to launch Haslemere Hogs at a 60th anniversary party last Wednesday, hosted by Brian and Diana Howard and their daughter Melissa King to celebrate their long-running High Street business, Marley Flowers.

The event raised £1,500 for the mayor’s charities – Action Medical Research for Children, Positive Action, The Kaleidoscope Trust, Haslemere Ha’penny Trust – and the hope is Haslemere Hogs will raise many thousands more.

Haslemere Hogs is a porky twist on this year’s Surrey Hills Cow Parade, which featured installations in town centres across the county of life-sized models of cows painted by artists.

Their artworks were subsequently auctioned for more than £150,000 in aid of charity.

The success of the town project depends on organisations or individuals coming forward to sponsor their very own Haslemere Hog for £200 and paint it.

A limited edition of 60 swine is up for grabs and they will go on display around the town next April before being auctioned off in aid of the charities.

Haslemere Festival, the town council and the Chamber of Commerce are spearheading the project and Grayswood couple Evelyn and Gwyn Phillips, founders of Surrey’s mega annual ‘AppArt’ exhibition, have volunteered to find high-profile artists from their “stable” to ensure Haslemere Hogs are as eye-catching as possible.

Promoting the project at his birthday bash last week, Mr Howard said: “It is anticipated each hog will raise £200 or more, which even at that level will produce £12,000. The methods of sale will vary and there is an initial second tier sponsorship available at £400, which both sponsors and pre-purchases the hog.

“I am most grateful to David Goddin and Clive Rollinson, president and vice-president of the chamber of commerce, for their support and particularly to David for the fantastic teaser campaign he has been running on Twitter showing Pig number one ‘Pigasso’ touring the area.”

Sponsors and artists turned out to launch the first batch of painted hogs at last week’s party, at which Mr Howard gave an entertaining stage and slide presentation remembering the early days onwards of Marley Flowers.

Melissa performed a double-act with her father onstage, providing a series of skilful demonstrations of flower arranging that involved recreating the central ‘O’ in the Marley Flowers logo, which was designed by the mayor.

A further highlight was a demonstration by top Parisian ‘fleuriste’ Gilles Pothier, accompanied by violinists from Waverley Ensemble.

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