Festive fun arrivals have had everyone talking in our town this week - not least one designed by a brilliant Hitchin creative.

If you've spotted colourful Snowmen in our town this week, then you're not alone, but do you know the story behind the one designed by acclaimed Hitchin artist Sarah Graham?

Hitchin town centre has ushered in the start of the festive period with a free community art trail called Walking with the Snowman - inspired by the late Raymond Briggs' classic picture book, The Snowman.

There are 12 snowmen to find across Hitchin in the trail - sponsored by local housebuilder Cala - all designed by different artists from around the UK, each based on one of the 12 days of Christmas, with a special story behind Sarah's 'Ten Lords a Leaping' effort.

Each Snowman in the Walking with The Snowman trail is based on a line from the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' - and some of you will have also already seen that one of the snowmen was painted by our very own gifted local artist, Sarah.

But do you know the heartwarming story behind popular Sarah's Snowman, that relates to her work with a Hitchin school?

Brilliant Hitchin artist Sarah Graham with her Snowman creation, alongside Hitchin's Danny Pearson. CREDIT: Danny Pearson

"I'm thrilled to have been asked," says humble Sarah, adding: "to be part of the brilliant 'Walking with the Snowman' trail @thesnowmanwalk in my hometown of Hitchin this Christmas."

Sarah's take on Ten Lords A Leaping was to transform them into ten leaping gingerbread lords. Sarah visited her old primary school, Oughton in Hitchin, to run a workshop with Year 6 pupils for inspiration.

She asked each of them to design their own leaping gingerbread lord, which they loved, and has combined elements from their designs into each of the 10 lords featured on the snowman.

The design is very festive and also ties in nicely with Sarah's work, which often features food and sweet treats.

"It has been such a fun project to do, it's my first piece of public art," said Sarah, adding: "It's been a pleasure working with so many talented and creative people in order to get these Snowmen to our town - working with my old primary school was wonderful."

The sculptures were produced by Wild in Art, who put together all sorts of sculpture trails around the UK. This Trail helps the amazing charity Open Art Box CIC and the Trail map was provided by local designer Dan Bramall AKA The Scribbler.

The sculptures were produced by @wildinart, who put together all sorts of sculpture trails around the UK. Featuring the iconic Raymond Briggs snowman, designs had to get the thumbs up from @penguinventures, who gave it the seal of approval to help boost charities and local causes.

This includes Open Art Box CIC, that promotes the participation in the visual arts to enhance and improve the wellbeing of those affected by dementia in Hertfordshire, while the Trail map was provided by local designer Dan Bramall AKA The Scribbler.

Cala Homes, Wild in Art, Hitchin Bid and others all worked together to make the wonderful trail happen. 

Sarah added: "A massive thank you to Danny Pearson for nominating us."

St Mary's Church are also linking in their annual Snowman Concert to this Trail - with Hitchin Library and North Herts Museum will be holding special events for the younger snowman fans.

"So, all in all, this has been a great community-built project that we can all be proud of and have fun with," says Sarah.

And so say all of us - well done Sarah and all associated with the wonderfully festive Hitchin trail