The Cardigan Cadno is an enormous willow fox sculpture situated outside the town’s guildhall.
The charming work of art has been adopted by the traders in Cardigan market who are currently trying to raise enough cash to keep him at the Guildhall permanently.
This winter they decided that he was looking a little chilly so traders put out an appeal via social media and posters in the market for knitted ‘granny squares’ for the Cardigan Cadno’s winter warmer.
Locals got out their knitting needles and news of the appeal spread far and wide, with squares being sent in by post from as far afield as Scarborough and Stotfold in Hertfordshire.
Enough squares came in to make the fox a splendid scarf, they were sewn together by Dee Westbury and Anne-Marie Stewart. Dee then adorned the fox in his new winter garb earlier this week.
There are even enough squares left over to make him a hat.
The market traders say they will continue with their knitting and plan to adorn the fox in a pair of legwarmers and also some wrist warmers if possible.
When the weather warms up the fox’s accessories will be washed and put away for next autumn.
The traders are already starting to plan what adornments the fox could have come spring and summer.
“The Cardigan Market traders would like to say a big diolch and thank you to all who contributed,” said trader Jana Davidson who runs her Leafy Lion stall at the market.
“We are keeping going with the granny squares as we had enough left over to start a hat and we’d like to fit him out with some wrist and leg warmers if possible.”
The fantastic fox sculpture is currently in the courtyard of Cardigan’s Guildhall Market.
It was designed and created by locally renowned willow artist Michelle Cain and loaned to the courtyard during Cardigan’s Festival of Light last December.
Traders at the recently renovated market hall, with the support of the market management, are now raising money to buy the sculpture for the community and keep him permanently.
“We have seen since his instalment the joy he brings, not only to the traders, but our customers, locals and visitors,” said Jana.
“Whether it’s just admiring him to group selfies, Mr Fox has had a huge impact and we would love him to stay as a fabulous asset and attraction for the town.”
The market traders need £2,500 to purchase and maintain the fox so that many more visitors can enjoy him.
They have currently raised more than £1,500 towards their total. Any donation toward the appeal, no matter how small, would be gratefully appreciated.
Anyone interested in helping the campaign can donate by visiting the JustGiving page, justgiving.com/crowdfunding/save-our-fox, linked above or by popping into the market and putting a donation in a collection box.
There are various collection boxes dotted around the two floors of the market and Mr Fox has one too.
