Young artists unveil sculptures

With unpredictably creative results and a staggeringly high number of entries, the winning artists behind the champion designs can now see their creations brought to life as Beef and Bird unveils its two newly painted characters.
Laura Robb, Harmony Hill P.S., and Hammie Ferguson, Fair Hill P.S., with Beef and Bird owner Bronagh CampbellLaura Robb, Harmony Hill P.S., and Hammie Ferguson, Fair Hill P.S., with Beef and Bird owner Bronagh Campbell
Laura Robb, Harmony Hill P.S., and Hammie Ferguson, Fair Hill P.S., with Beef and Bird owner Bronagh Campbell

The latest additions to the eatery, arrived in early June in need of a makeover.

With a call to budding artists from across Lisburn to submit ideas, the team at Beef and Bird were delighted to receive such a high uptake for the competition.

Following a tough afternoon of judging, two winners were announced at Beef and Bird’s Family Fun Day on Father’s Day, Sunday June 19, who won the chance to have their submitted artworks professionally replicated on life-size fibreglass sculptures of a cow and chicken.

Hammie Ferguson (10) of Dromara and Laura Robb (10) of Lisburn were chosen as the first place winners in the Beef and Bird colouring-in competition and along with their artwork transferred onto the sculptures, secured a party for themselves and up to nine friends. Second and third place runners-up received Beef and Bird goody bags as well as branded t-shirts and baseball caps.

The judging panel included Bronagh and Anthony Campbell, proprietors of Beef and Bird and Del Toro, as well as Station Manager for Lisburn 98FM, Michael Clarke, Media Sales Consultant for the Ulster Star, Colette McCready, and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council member and former Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart.

Commenting on the calibre of entries received, Bronagh Campbell, owner of Beef and Bird, said: “The quality of the entries was staggering. We did not anticipate the level of creativity from children in the local area and we received an unprecedented amount of entries - over 1000 in total. The judging panel had no easy task in choosing the overall winners, but Hammie and Laura’s work stood out for effort, ability and conveying the Beef and Bird message of family-friendly casual dining.”

Alderman Allan Ewart, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council member, explained that choosing the competition winners was not a decision taken lightly. “It was an arduous task and the judging panel deliberated for a number of hours,” he said. “If we had the option, we would have awarded each and every entrant with a prize in recognition of the tremendous efforts made; to nurture the underlying creative and artistic talents of our youngest residents in Lisburn and Castlereagh that was so clearly evident. Hammie and Laura’s work stayed true to the atmosphere in Beef and Bird as well as Lisburn Leisure Park, and that was positive and family-orientated.”

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