The Commonwealth Games mechanical bull, which made its first appearance at the opening ceremony, will be staying at its home in Centenary Square until September, it has been confirmed.
The 10-metre high raging bull was placed in the city centre following the opening ceremony, and has been visited by tourists, Games goers, and locals every day since, who have flocked to the square to take pictures with it.
In fact, the bull has made such an impression on the city, that a petition was formed to keep the bull intact following the Games, and to find it a permanent home in Birmingham. It was originally set to be dismantled and recycled.
The petition has gained over 11,000 signatures, and is directed to Birmingham City Council, asking them to ‘develop a long term location and plan within the city’ for the bull.
Grateful bull
On August 5, the raging bull released a statement thanking supporters for their efforts. It said:
‘Thank you, to the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands, I feel like you’ve really taken me to your hearts. Being part of the amazing Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony was an incredible honour and since moo-ving to Centenary Square I’ve been delighted to meet so many of you in person.’
The letter, posted on the Birmingham 2022 website, announced that the bull would be staying in Centenary Square until the end of September.
Ian Ward, the leader of Birmingham City Council, said: ‘We consider this one of the top attractions in the city, and seeing residents and visitors enjoying the bull being in the city this week has been brilliant and enhances the need to keep the bull for longer.’
The Commonwealth Games’ chief creative officer Martin Green explained that the bull would need to be found a home indoors, due to the fact it is ‘reasonably high maintenance.’
The bull took more than 50 people five months to build, and requires six people to operate it. It is mostly made of aluminium and has to be transported by a 17-tonne forklift crane!