Halifax Zoo returns at Woolshops Shopping Centre

Halifax shoppers are in for a treat this summer as Woolshops welcomes a very special zoo.

Throughout August, Halifax shoppers will be able to view elephants, monkeys, lions, giraffes and zebra’s as Woolshops hosts its very own Woolly Zoo, as part of it’s All Creatures Great & Small event in celebration of Halifax’s history.

Over 100 years ago, the Halifax Zoo was a popular destination amongst the locals. One of its largest residents, Kim the elephant, was a key attraction.

This year, Woolshops is bringing Kim back to life with a large wool and wire sculpture, as well as smaller woollen zoo animals.

Rawson Junior and Infant School year six students make animals for the Wooly Zoo. Alisha Helliwell, 11, left, and Chloe Mattimore, 10, right.

Jason Gregg, centre manager at Woolshops, commented: “This summer, we wanted to do something to celebrate Halifax and its history, in a really fun way. 2016 marks 100 years since the zoo closed, so we decided to bring it back to life in our own way of course.”

The centre has worked with pupils from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, St. Joseph’s Primary School and Rawson Junior and Infant Schools to create wool and wire animal sculptures which will be on display throughout the summer holidays.

Special guest, The Woolshops Zoo Keeper, will be on site on August 6, to launch the display and to lead children on an animal trail, as well as sing-a- longs and lots more fun.

The Piece Hall Heritage and Learning team will also be offering free animal themed activities throughout the day, including bunting making, paper plate sheep and animal puppets.

Rawson Junior and Infant School year six student make animals for the Woolly Zoo

Helen Moore, heritage and learning manager at The Piece Hall, said “Merchants came to The Piece Hall to trade their pieces of cloth containing the wool of sheep from all over the world and where better to celebrate this than at the Woolly Zoo. Families can drop in and find out about The Piece Hall and the animals that have featured in it and enjoy one of the creative activities with their little ones.”

Additional entertainment will be provided by Morely Exotic Pets and York Birds of Prey.

River Island will also be raising money for New Life Children’s Charity over the weekend with fancy dress fun day on Saturday, August 6. The store teams will be dressing up in animal themed fancy dress inline with are zoo theme weekend.

Emma Bray, River Island store manager, said: “New Life Children’s Charity is an amazing charity which really benefits children in the local area.”