Throughout July and August, the Bath Business Improvement District (BID) hosted a shop window and drawing competition over the summer as an extension of the Bath Biodiversity benches project, in which 24 small illustrations of local Bath wildlife were painted on the benches around Bath Abbey. The trail sponsored by Wylde Jewellers, invited residents and visitors to find the 24 corresponding animal paintings hidden in the shop windows throughout the city, with a trail booklet that included an animal drawing competition.

Generously supported by Wylde Jewellers and several local businesses, the competition offered fantastic prizes. Whittard of Chelsea provided a £100 hamper of exquisite teas and coffee, Flapjackery contributed a generous box of flapjacks, Soul Spa offered a Sound Bath for two, and Fat Giraffe Gifts donated a beautiful handmade Kingfisher. The highlight was Wylde Jewellers’ transformation of the winning illustration from the under 10s category into a stunning silver pendant.

The competition received 41 entries across three age categories. The drawings were meticulously judged by Nicholas Wylde of Wylde Jewellers and Liz Grey from the Bath Magazine, who spent an afternoon evaluating the creativity, skill, and detail of each submission.

The prize-giving took place at the beautiful Wylde Jewellers shop on Northumberland Place, where Carly Cooke (Wylde Jewellers) welcomed winners with a drinks reception. The winners were:

  • Lisa (Over 18s category) – won with a detailed drawing of a badger, receiving a Whittard Hamper, Bath Gift Card and art materials.
  • Mollie (11 to 18s category) – won with her illustration of an adder, receiving a large box of paint pens and a £50 Bath Gift Card.
  • Toby (Under 10s category) – won with his drawing of a monkey, receiving paint pens, a Bath Gift Card and his specially crafted silver pendant.

Carly Cooke, Brand Manager of Wylde Jewellers said, “We were absolutely delighted to sponsor this brilliant summer treasure hunt initiative, and to have the opportunity to collaborate with a fellow “wild artist to promote the city of Bath and all of its “Wylde creatures! The winning entry, designed by Toby, was incredibly creative and as soon as we saw it, we could image it in its silver pendant form! We hope that both Toby and his mum have enjoyed seeing his wonderful monkey design brought to life by our workshop.”