When the Pride of Yorkshire trail roars into life in summer 2026, 150 lions and 150 lion cubs will brighten the streets of Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. But long before the sculptures hit the streets, the hard work of bringing them to life is happening inside a Sheffield workshop.
That’s where Simpsons Patterns, a specialist business with more than 20 years’ experience, are using their craft and technical expertise to transform raw designs into the durable sculptures that thousands will admire. The company also created the Bears of Sheffield in 2021 – and now they’re scaling up for the biggest trail yet.
From apprentice to director
Alex Goddard, Director at Simpsons Patterns, started as an apprentice 10 years ago. He remembers the buzz of the Bears of Sheffield project: “It was brilliant – I just remember everyone in the city talking about it at the time. The Pride of Yorkshire is on another level. There’s a lot more production planning needed, but the project is helping us grow. We’ve brought in two new team members and now have a three-man team focused on the lions.”
Why come back on board? “Number one is the story and the meaning – Sheffield Children’s Hospital. A lot of us here are Sheffield people, so it’s close to everyone. It’s something you’re proud of. From a business perspective, the exposure is fantastic. You mention you’re making the Lions or the Bears and suddenly everyone knows what you do.”
On the shop floor
Connor Walsh, Project Lead on the lions, is overseeing the tricky business of GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) production. “The head’s a nightmare! It’s a very tricky mould with a lot of tight spaces. You’ve got to get your arm right in to get the air bubbles out. It’s harder than it looks, but it’s 100% worth it.
“The best bit? What it’s for. I’ve got a young daughter who’s 3. If we can generate that much money for Sheffield Children’s, that’s brilliant. Once the sculptures are painted and you see them transformed – I’m sure my daughter will love to see what her dad’s made.”
Precision and scanning
Before a single sculpture is built, the process starts digitally. CAD engineer Joe Faulks explains: “We were given three small figures to scan and produce a mould from. First you scan the figures, which creates a 3D image. Then you put them together, create a mesh model, and sculpt out any imperfections. That’s how we make sure the models are watertight and ready for production.”
Why Simpsons matter
Cheryl Davidson, Project Lead for Pride of Yorkshire, said: “We’re proud to have Simpsons Patterns on board. Their craftsmanship is turning our vision into reality. Their expertise and resources ensure artists can create impactful works of art, and the lessons learnt from the Bears of Sheffield – from reinforcement to primer coating – are helping us deliver an even stronger project this time around.”
A pride built in Sheffield
The lions will take to the streets in summer 2026, raising vital funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital. For Alex, the project is about more than just production: “Yorkshire people have grit and determination. When we have to, we come together and get behind things. I’m hoping that’s what people do with this project – let’s pull together, get stuck in, and get involved.”
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