BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, and the official Community Partner of Julia’s House’s Great Tail Trail, has unveiled several stunning mermaid tail sculptures across leisure centres and venues in Bournemouth
The Great Tail Trail consists of more than 45 giant mermaid tails and more than 40 Tiny Tails, bringing a splash of colour and creativity across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.
Four of these tiny sculptures include three designed by local schools Puddle Lane, Ringwood School, and St Peter’s Catholic School, located at BH Live Active, Littledown, Bournemouth’s flagship leisure centre. Trail participants can also discover BH Live’s very own sponsored giant sculpture, designed by local Arts University Bournemouth student Beck O’Hara.
Community sculptures created by Merley First School, Christ the King RC Primary School and St Mary’s CE First School & Nursery are at BH Live Active, Pelhams. An additional BH Live sponsored sculpture designed by Kelly Ma – a Wild In Art artist and professional illustrator – is also on display in the centre’s reception.
Several community sculptures imagined by St Walburg’s Catholic Primary School, The Bishop of Winchester Academy, and Bournemouth School are being featured at Sir David English Sports Centre.
A giant sculpture, sponsored by Bournemouth Water, will capture the eye of delegates, visitors, and show goers and diners at Bournemouth International Centre.
All Great Tail Trail sculptures, including those hosted at BH Live Active centres, will be displayed at a final Farewell Weekend event on 14-15 June 2025 at Bournemouth International Centre before being auctioned later in the month to raise vital funds for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice. Tickets to the Farewell Weekend can be purchased online at juliashouse.org.uk/tail-trail/events/farewell-event.
On behalf of BH Live, Jon Workman, Chief Executive Officer, shared;
“It’s been fantastic to work with Julia’s House Children’s Hospice as the official Community Partner for the Great Tail Trail. We’re so excited for everyone to see the two fantastic pieces created by community artists, and to host sculptures designed by local schools and community groups across our centres.
“The trail is a fantastic opportunity to support a local charity, while discovering key landmarks and locations across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. We invite everyone to attend the Farewell Weekend at Bournemouth International Centre this summer, so they can see the amazing sculptures all in one place.”
On behalf of Julia’s House, Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager, shared;
“We hope that everyone who explores The Great Tail Trail enjoys visiting the beautiful mermaid tails which are on display at the Bournemouth International Centre, BH Live Active at Littledown and Pelhams and Sir David English Sports Centre,” said Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager for Julia’s House.
“It’s fantastic to have the support of BH Live as our Community Partner for the trail and we’re looking forward to a wonderful Farewell Weekend at the Bournemouth International Centre on 14 & 15 June to celebrate the trail’s finale. You’ll be able to see all the tails for the last time before they are sent to auction to raise money for Julia’s House, buy some trail-themed goodies, enjoy fun activities for children including mini sculpture painting and have the chance to meet some of our tail-ented artists! Make sure to book your tickets early!”
More information about BH Live can be found online at bhlive.org.uk.
More information about The Great Tail Trail can be found online at juliashouse.org.uk/tail-trail.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Bournemouth International Centre
Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Opened in 1984 the venue is set in the heart of Bournemouth, with panoramic views across the bay. It is the south coast’s premier conference, exhibition, entertainment, and hospitality venue, with licensed capacity for up to 10,000 visitors. Four main halls and a variety of smaller meeting and hospitality areas can be scaled to host events such as multi-hall conferences, exhibitions, meetings, music concerts, dance and comedy performances.
- Buy tickets online at bic.co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box offices at Bournemouth International Centre
For call charges, opening times and more visit bic.co.uk.
Get social with us:
X @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook & Instagram @BournemouthInternationalCentre
About Littledown Centre
Littledown is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.
It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.
It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football. Indoor facilities include 25-metre and 17-metre swimming pools for lane swimming, public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a splash pool, steam room and sauna.
The venue has one of the largest gyms in the region complete with activity programmes for young people, and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with a long-term health condition. There are multiple training zones with ground level and lift access. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness with cardio equipment, free weights and functional fitness training space. Hundreds of group exercise classes run seven days a week such as Group Cycle sessions, circuits, yoga, Pilates, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and Les Mills™ classes including BodyBalance, BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Sprint and more.
There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. Open to members and non members is Littledown’s Terrace Café (with soft play for under 5s) and Lookout at Littledown Bar (18+ only), each with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors for al fresco refueling, eating, drinking and socialising.
Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week. Littledown Park is also home to Littledown Miniature Railway.
ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Littledown. Customers get free customer parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week. Charges apply for longer stays.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @littledowncentre
About Pelhams Park Leisure Centre
Located in Kinson (North Bournemouth), BH Live Active, Pelhams is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.
A vibrant community hub, the team at Pelhams works closely with the local community and health groups to provide fitness and social activities for all.
High-quality fitness facilities include a recently refurbished gym (2023) with natural daylight and park views. Equipment includes Technogym’s cardio, resistance equipment for strength and toning, free weights and functional fitness space. An exercise referral team provides guidance and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with long term health condition.
Swimming facilities include two pools with lane swimming, public swim sessions, pool-based classes, fun for young people, lessons and more. There is also a sauna for post workout relaxation.
Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyJam, BodyCombat, Sprint, Dance, Lifting Techniques, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, Core, Zumba and so much more. There also a dedicated Technogym Group cycle studio with daily classes.
Pelhams is home to BH Live Active’s only Wellness Hub. With power-assisted exercise equipment and classes, this specialist area is a great introduction to being more active. (not included in standard adult membership; extra charges apply).
Open to members and non members there is a Terrace Café with free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.
Outdoors there are outdoor tennis courts for hire plus floodlit 3G rubber crumb artificial training pitches. A £240K investment to refurbish the five-a-side football pitches completed in November 2024.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/pelhams
Get social with us: X and Instagram @bhliveactive | Facebook @pelhamsparkleisurecentre
About Sir David English Sports Centre
Sir David English Sports Centre is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth School Charitable Trust.
Located on East Way close to Castlepoint shopping centre, the centre has lots of high-quality fitness facilities including a well-equipped gym complete with cardio zone, free weights area, resistance machines and functional fitness spaces.
It has a multi purpose group exercise studio with a timetable of group exercise classes running seven days a week including Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core, circuits, Pilates, yoga, family gym sessions and more.
The centre also is a community sports venue and a hub for club activities, promoting grassroots sports development and working closely with neighbouring schools to encourage young people to be active.
Outdoors there are three six-a-side 3G rubber crumb training pitches and eight netball courts where teams regularly train and compete on a local, regional and national level.
The centre is also home to AirJumpX, a super-sized indoor inflatable obstacle course with a giant side, jelly mountain, wipe-out balls, and assault course. Public sessions and birthday packages are available.
A brand-new Terrace Café opened in summer 2024.
Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/sir-david-english
Get social with us:
X and Instagram – @bhliveactive | Facebook – @SirDavidEnglishSportsCentre