The journey of Bristol’s Own and our ongoing support for Gromit Unleashed
If you have gone past or visited Bristol Children’s Hospital in recent years, you may have spotted the unmistakable floppy ears of Gromit, sitting proudly outside the main building.
‘Bristol’s Own’ is hard to miss, wearing a green and yellow military uniform, but you may not have noticed the sign beneath him that shows the Barcan and Kirby logo.
Who is Bristol’s Own?
Bristol’s Own, also known as Private Gromit, is a sculpture from the Gromit Unleashed 2 trail in 2018, which we were proud to sponsor. The military uniform, designed by Susan Webber, was inspired by the 12th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, and the role of dogs in World War I.
During WWI, dogs not only served as companions to the troops but were also used as scouts, messengers, food carriers, and guard dogs.
Private Gromit, which we sponsored throughout the trail, was originally located in Queen Square, close to Barcan and Kirby’s old office. During his guard there, he carried out a secret mission to collect messages for the patients and families of Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. These were translated into telegrams, which were displayed at the Cots for Tots House.
Once the trail ended in September 2018, Private Gromit was sold at auction and kindly donated to the hospital. The funds from our sponsorship and the sale of Bristol’s Own went to The Grand Appeal, a charity that works hard to support sick children and babies at the Children’s Hospital and St Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Private Gromit’s role at the Children’s Hospital
Private Gromit plays an important role for patients and visitors to the hospital to this day. When children are learning to move and walk again after an injury or illness, their first venture is usually to visit our Gromit outside the main entrance.
We love the thought of our Gromit having such an important role for patients and visitors to the hospital, and we are proud to have our name against such a wonderful initiative.
A brief hiatus
During the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail in 2025, Bristol’s Own took a well-deserved break from his guard and went on ‘holiday’. He was moved behind the hospital to be cleaned, re-painted and repaired, so that another sculpture, ‘Ringmaster Gromit’, could have a turn in that prime position.
But don’t worry! Private Gromit will be back once the trial ends, resuming his duties and bringing smiles to people’s faces once again.
Spellbound and our sponsorship of the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail
Our relationship with The Grand Appeal spans way beyond their crowd-pleasing trails; we have known and supported them for several years, including as our charity of the year in 2019. And when they announced their fourth trail in early 2025, we jumped at the chance to sponsor another sculpture.
Enter, Spellbound.
We are delighted to be sponsoring Aardman’s latest creation, Norbot, who you may recognise from Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which aired on Christmas Day 2024.
Our Norbot, called Spellbound, was designed by local illustrator Emily Ketteringham and stands proudly in Victoria Park, Windmill Hill.
Keep your eyes peeled for the return of Bristol’s Own in September!