Caudata.org: Newts and Salamanders Portal

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Did you know that registered users see fewer ads? Register today!

UK Press: Newt sculpture could be visible from space

caleb

Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2002
Messages
509
Reaction score
14
Location
NE England
Peterborough Evening Telegraph, 25 October 2008

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/Newt-sculpture-could-be-visible.4629846.jp

By Asha Mehta

MOVE over Great Wall of China – the city's giant Great Crested Newt landmark is about to muscle in on your stellar claim to fame.

The wall is noted for being the only man-made structure visible from space, but after today, bosses at a city nature reserve hope a new creation will share that crown.

An enormous newt made of bricks will be built during an event at the Hampton Nature Reserve, in Peterborough – home to Europe’s largest colony of Great Crested Newts.

At 50 metres wide, the brick newt will be visible by satellites and it is hoped will be viewable on Google Earth maps in the future.

Families and children are being encouraged to help at the event, called the Big Draw Big Newt Day, and organised by Froglife, which manages the reserve on behalf of developers O&H Hampton.

Froglife’s Sam Taylor said: “The Big Draw Big Newt Day is going to be a great chance for people to explore this great local wildlife site, as well as to have fun and be artistic.

“Hampton Nature Reserve is about more than just wildlife though – it has a really interesting industrial heritage too providing the clay for the area’s brick-making industry – so it’s fitting that we’re making this giant newt using local, recycled bricks.”

Access to Hampton Nature Reserve is normally restricted but, on the day, the rugged landscape of ponds and moon-like clay dunes will be open for all Peterborough residents to visit and enjoy.

People coming along to the Big Draw Big Newt Day will have the chance to help make a giant drawing of a newt using bricks, as well as other drawing and painting activities with a wildlife theme.

Froglife’s chief executive Kathy Wormald said: “Alongside the conservation work we undertake, Froglife is committed to getting people outside, enjoying the fresh air and appreciating wildlife – these actions undoubtedly help secure a future for amphibians and reptiles, and all of the UK’s wild places.”

Join in the fun at Hampton Nature Reserve from 11am to 3pm.

A minibus will ferry people into the nature reserve, picking them up from the bus stop in Hampton Vale, where Eagle Way meets the A15.

On the day, people can call Jules Howard on 07971 069098 for further details.

Big Draw Big Newt Day is supported by organisations including Peterborough College of Adult Education, the Heritage Lottery Fund and O&H Hampton Ltd, providing a range of materials for people of all ages to experiment with.

The bricks for the big newt have been donated by local firm Mears and Cross Keys Homes – the city’s biggest landlord.





(...and yes, I do know that the Great Wall of China is not actually visible from space).
 

Axel01

New member
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
Location
Ely
Wohooo.

Excellent.

do you think it can be seen from Ely???
 

apples

New member
Joined
Mar 18, 2003
Messages
723
Reaction score
3
Location
UK
I forsee...a pitstop between my Edinburgh-London journeys. :happy:
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Top