Less than two weeks after the 25 now ‘famous’ life sized barons first appeared around the city, almost 30,000 maps already have been requested by local people and visitors so that they could follow the Barons Trail. Originally planned to last the duration of the event, which extends through the summer, Salisbury Business Improvement
District (BID) who sponsored the Wild in Art and Trussell Trust initiative carried out an initial print run. Now BID is going back to print thousands more maps to satisfy the extra demand and so that people are not disappointed.
Steve Godwin, Business Manager for BID says “We expected the maps to be greatly demanded but never to this extent. Salisbury is a lot busier than we had anticipated and people are demanding the maps in large quantities. We have been surprised and delighted that so many local people as well as visitors to the city are embarking upon the trail. One family from Warminster said - we had never really properly explored the city and normally when we come to Salisbury it is for a specific reason and we do what we need to do and then go home. Today, the sun was out and it was a warm evening so we thought that we would do the trail after we had finished our shopping. When we got to Elizabeth Gardens, an area we didn’t particularly know, we were bowled over by the spectacular views of the cathedral and decided to walk across the Town path to Harnham. By the time we finished the trail, it was dark, but at least the children are exhausted and will sleep well.

Each of the life sized barons depicts a theme, one being The Salisbury Baron which is about local landscapes and buildings to tell the story of Magna Carta. From architecture to native wildlife, this Baron captures the heart of Salisbury. It also tells a story of justice, with King John’s surrender, a dove, scales of Justice and the notion that the pen is mightier than the sword.
Trail Map
Copies of the trail map can be picked up from the Tourist Information Centre, Salisbury
Cathedral, Arts Centre, Casa Fina in the High street, Fisherton Mill, Waitrose, Guildhall and many other stockists. It can also be downloaded from the Barons Trust website http://www.thebaronscharter.org.uk/trail/
The Barons are going under the hammer
The barons in the trail will be auctioned on Thursday evening 1st October in Salisbury
Cathedral. Money raised from the Barons’ auction will help run the UK’s largest foodbank network. Like Magna Carta, The Trussell Trust aims to promote social justice for all whilst combatting poverty and exclusion and further information about the
Auction will be available in July/August.
Ends:
Issued on: 26 th June 2015
Notes to Editors:
For all media enquiries please contact:
Steve Godwin at Salisbury Business Improvement District Ltd on 01722 658000 or email steve@salisburybid.co.uk
Salisbury’s Business improvement District (BID) is an arrangement whereby businesses come together as an ideal mechanism to form and develop a dynamic business environment and decide which improvements they feel could be made in their area. Salisbury BID has a 5 year term after which it will apply for a renewal.
Funded by approximately 550 businesses within Salisbury City Centre paying a 1.5% levy based on their rateable value, businesses voted in favour of becoming a bid towards the end of 2013 and the BID came into operation in April of 2014. The BID is a not for profit company with a Board of 17 directors who are levy payers. They oversee the company and BID activities with funds of over £2,000,000 over five years.