Published: 17 August 2023

Six colourful castle sculptures have appeared across Swansea as the Wales Air Ambulance Charity hosts a free mini trail – the perfect summer holiday adventure for children and adults alike.

The impressive 7-foot sculptures can be found in Nelson Street, St. David’s Green, Mumbles Skatepark, the National Waterfront Museum, Parc Tawe and the Quadrant Shopping Centre. They will be on display until early September.

Known as ‘Castles in the Sky’, the mini trail is a teaser for the main event that will take place across the city next year. Summer 2024 will see around 30 uniquely decorated castle sculptures in various locations across Swansea in one of the largest mass-participant events ever to be held in the city.

Those who take part in the mini trail are being encouraged to take pictures of the castles and share them on social media, tagging the Wales Air Ambulance and Swansea Castles.

Swansea BID (Business Improvement District), Swansea-based printers BDP Wales and Llanelli’s Owens Group have all signed up to be Wales Air Ambulance’s official partners for Castles in the Sky. Other castle sponsors include the Ascona Group, Western Bay Adoption Service, and Gower College Swansea.

The castle artwork has been created by artists Barry John, Louise Jones, Keely Clarke, Diana Brook, Marnie Maurri and Melody Angel.

Siany Martin, Wales Air Ambulance Corporate Fundraiser, said: “Castles in the Sky captures the imagination by intertwining Welsh culture, art and history in the form of a public art trail. The event has been brought to Swansea by Wales Air Ambulance, and the globally renowned mass participation art events company, Wild in Art.

“Ahead of our Castles in the Sky art trail in Summer 2024, we wanted to run a 'teaser trail', offering a preview of what can be seen on a much larger scale next year. So, we are absolutely delighted to share six of the designs to get people excited about the extravaganza in 12 months time.”

As well as creating a fun and free experience, the Castles in the Sky trail has a serious side. It aims to promote and raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance. The lifesaving Charity needs to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopter in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.

Swansea BID has been supportive of the trail from its infancy and said it is delighted to be working with the Charity as Principal partner.

Since it was established in 2006, Swansea BID is one of the most exciting initiatives developed by the city’s business community with the aim of putting Swansea city centre on the map and is constantly implementing key ideas, initiatives and investment to make the BID area a better place to shop, visit, study, stay and do business.

Russell Greenslade, Chief Executive of Swansea BID, said he believes that the Castles in the Sky event will open a huge number of incentives and benefits to the city as well as bringing the community together.

He said: “I believe Castles in the Sky will be one of the most fun and ambitious art projects the city has ever seen. It is a fantastic opportunity to bring the city together and connect businesses, artists and residents through the power of creativity and innovation.

“Swansea BID is thrilled to be the Principal Partner for Castles in the Sky. There are a huge amount of incentives and benefits in getting involved in a project of this scale and uniqueness.”

Siany Martin added: “We are delighted to partner with incredible businesses and organisations for our Castles in the Sky public art trail and we cannot thank them enough for their support.

“There are sponsorship opportunities available for organisations who would like to sponsor a castle during the main trail next year. It’s wonderful exposure, an opportunity to be a part of something unforgettable in Swansea and, most importantly, it’s in support of a vital lifesaving charity.”

For more information or to sponsor a castle email: [email protected] or visit www.swanseacastles.co.uk