Tennants Auctioneers is privileged to be part of the inspiring Gavel Art Trail, a nationwide fundraising initiative launched by The Bidpath Foundation in partnership with Wild in Art. As one of just 15 auction houses across the UK and Europe selected to participate, Tennants is helping to celebrate the worlds of art, auctions, and philanthropy.
The Gavel Art Trail aims to raise funds for three exceptional charities: The Brain Tumour Charity, The National Brain Appeal, and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN). All proceeds from the final auction will go directly to these causes
The initiative was inspired by the remarkable journey of George Wade, a senior executive at Bidpath and a passionate marathon runner from Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Diagnosed with two brain tumours in April 2024, George underwent major surgery and made an extraordinary recovery—running the London Marathon in just 3 hours and 16 minutes, raising £41,000 for charity.
Throughout September and October, the Gavel Art Trail features a series of striking 100cm-long gavel sculptures, each uniquely painted by artists and sponsored by auction houses across the UK and Europe. These artworks will be on display at the sponsors premises and will be auctioned on 6th November at Surveyors' House, RICS Westminster, with online bidding available via Bidpath’s website.
The initiative continues Bidpath’s successful collaboration with Wild in Art—an organisation that has raised over £30 million for charitable causes since 2019.
George’s journey has been one of resilience and determination, supported by his wife Ellie, family, and colleagues. Despite ongoing health challenges, he remains committed to fundraising, recently completing a 10K race in North Yorkshire. Tennants is especially proud to support the initiative through a close personal connection with George and his family.
The gavel commissioned by Tennants has been created by Jonathan Armigel Wade, a Northern artist with a long-standing relationship with the auction house. His vibrant and imaginative sculpture captures the essence of Yorkshire in his signature ‘curvispective’ style—depicting the county’s landscapes from summer to winter, from the Dales to the coast. The artwork features a bustling market town, rolling hills, farms, cricketers, a racecourse, and the dramatic cliffs of Whitby Abbey. With his trademark humour, Jonathan has included whimsical details such as a cat waiting to be let in and a Yorkshire Pudding shop, along with four tiny white roses representing the four Ridings of Yorkshire.
Jonathan drew inspiration from an article written years ago by Rodney Tennant, Chairman of Tennants Auctioneers, in which he passionately described his love for Yorkshire’s diverse landscapes—from the Dales and the Vale of York to the Moors and the coastline.
Tennants’ gavel will be on display at Tennants in Leyburn until the end of October. To learn more about the Gavel Art Trail and the upcoming auction, please visit: www.bidpath.com/the-gavel-art-trail-auction
