A GLOBAL craze spreading smiles has hit Rugby.
‘Love on the rocks’ sees people paint a stone – or several – and hide them for people to find, and hopefully brighten someone’s day.
Some people go out hunting for the stones, which have been found hidden all over the town and surrounding areas.
And some baffled residents or visitors stumble across them by accident, but after a little online research discover the social media community and can often find out who painted the stone, and even go on to create their own mini pieces of artwork.
Facebook pages such as Painted Rocks, Secret Stones and Love on the Rocks are just some of those where people post pictures of their findings.
Some stones hidden around Rugby were painted with the likes of owls, ladybirds and even Mr Men characters or emblazoned with the words ‘Love Rocks’.
Two delighted Rugby youngsters found one of the stones on their way to Henry Hinde Junior School.
And it has inspired Kacie Monaher and Paige Bransfield to pick up their paintbrushes and design their own.
Paige’s mum Kerri Lee said: “The girls were on their way to school when they found the stone. They thought it was amazing, it made their day – we also had lots of fun hiding it again.
“We had heard about people painting and hiding these stones before but never realised people in Rugby were doing it. Now we are on the lookout and will be making our own.
“It’s a lovely idea which costs pennies and brings a smile to children’s faces.”
One man contacted the Observer to express his thanks for a painted stone which he found in Bilton.
This lucky stone was discovered by a man in Bilton.He said: “I found this while out walking my dogs, it had been left on a fence post.
“Whoever is responsible for its creation, I wanted them to know it made me smile and I left it in place for others to enjoy. What a nice thought by someone.”
Katey Bradshaw is one of those who paints and hides the rocks and even travels from her home in Stratford to do so.
She said some of her creations have even been found by visitors to Warwickshire from Texas and she is now hooked on ‘spreading a little happiness’.
Search on Facebook for more information on the craze.
