The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
It’s going to be roarsome!
Peterborough is going dinosaur crazy this summer, with four roarsome attractions to look forward to. Already available to enjoy, 14 life-sized ‘roaring’ animatronic dinosaurs have gone on display at Hamerton Zoo Park near Sawtry, taking visitors on a journey back in time.
From the ferocious T-Rex to the mighty Triceratops, this immersive prehistoric adventure can be accessed while taking a ride on the park’s road train.
The newly extended road train, the K-T Express, embarked on its new route on Saturday and is already giving young and old a ‘never seen before’ perspective of some of the park’s old favourites and the new dinosaur residents.
Hamerton Zoo Park has been under continuous development since it opened over 30 years ago.
Set in the Cambridgeshire countryside, you can explore over 120 species with a unique collection of Australian animals.
A spokesperson said: “Our road train has always been hugely popular so we are incredibly excited to open our new attraction. It is a separate attraction within the park that will be running to a timetable during the week and available all day at the weekends and school holidays.”
This next year will see several major expansion projects open starting with this roarsome dinosaur adventure!
The park is open daily from 10am until 5pm. More information is available at www.hamertonzoopark.com.
Meanwhile, after a two-year wait due to Covid-19 Peterborough Cathedral will get to host the Natural History Museum’s touring exhibition, T.rex: The Killer Question in the 900-yearold building from July 18 to September 3.
Plans to present the exhibition in 2020 and 2021 had to be
shelved due to the pandemic.
This world class exhibition has nine roaring and moving animatronic dinosaurs of various sizes, including a three-quarter size T.rex.
A 12-metre-long static model of a T. rex and a life- size T. rex skeleton will also be on show,
facing each other across the Cathedral transepts.
The exhibition poses the killer question: Was T. rex a ferocious hunter or a mere scavenger?
To help visitors think about this, the exhibition presents scenes showing the behaviour of several different dinosaur species, from the small and agile Sauronitholestes, to the savage Dromaeosaurus and the plant-eating Tenontosaurus. It also shows examples of bones and fossils to see what they can tell us about T. rex.
The Very Revd Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough, said: “We’re excited that after a long wait due to the pandemic we are now able to bring this wonderful exhibition to the Cathedral.
"We know that many people, children especially, are fascinated by these pre-historic creatures and this will be a fantastic opportunity to see them right here in Peterborough rather than travelling to London.
“Of course, reflecting on the extinction of dinosaurs long ago will also help us to explore very current environmental issues like the diversity of species and how many of them are vulnerable to extinction. These are big questions about God’s creation and the responsibility we have as human beings to care for it
and protect it.”
Brad Irwin, Head of Global Engagement at the Natural History Museum added: “We are thrilled to be bringing T. rex: The Killer Question to Peterborough at last.
"We hope that the exhibition will be able to educate and entertain an entirely new audience about dinosaurs, specifically the awe-inspiring T. rex.
"It is our hope that these exciting animals that once roamed the earth can inspire a love of the natural world and motivate people to become advocates for the planet.”
On August 18 and 19, audiences can see Jurassic Live at The Cresset – billed as a roarsome new experience millions of years in the making and the closest you will ever come to real dinosaurs! Jurassic Live is a thrilling new fun, educational and interactive stage show, taking you on an adventure with the dinosaur rangers throughout the Jurassic zoo on the hunt for a missing dinosaur. Along the way you’ll meet and learn about dinosaurs from the Cretaceous and Jurassic eras including the Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Velociraptor, Triceratops and even the mighty T-Rex!
Jurassic Live has the widest variety of dinosaur puppets, dinosaur species and costumes available in the UK containing ground-breaking new technology – which makes the dinosaurs the most realistic you have ever seen in stage anywhere, with blinking eyes, moving mouths, and fully functioning and moving bodies.
And it is all brought to you by an amazing team of professional actors, advanced puppeteers who operate the dinosaurs from within and an award-winning props department creating the best Jurassic experience for all. The total show running time is approximately 90 minutes and gives children (and adults) the chance get up close and personal with the magnificent creatures.
A lucky few may also be called onto the stage to feed the dinosaurs.
Finally, it is the turn of Dinosaur Adventure Live at the Key Theatre on August 22 – dubbed “The Greatest Prehistoric Show on Earth”.
The audience can join the intrepid Dinosaur Adventurers as they journey to a world of living, breathing, life-like dinosaurs.
Walk with us through the Jurassic era on an unforgettable interactive experience and be introduced to some of the most incredible species ever to have lived on Earth.
Feel the excitement of meeting real life-like dinosaurs face-toface and hearing the tremendous roar of a T-Rex.
This awe-inspiring stage show captivates both young and young at heart, immersing audiences in an enthralling & realistic world of dinosaurs
•Since an appeal went out in early May for volunteers to come forward and help with the T.rex: The Killer Question exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral this summer, there has been a very encouraging response. But more volunteers are still needed and anyone interested in joining the team is invited to attend a Recruitment Meeting from 12 noon to 1.30pm on Sunday (19th) and find out more.
The Natural History Museum’s touring exhibition of animatronic and other dinosaur models will be on show at the Cathedral from 18th July until 3rd September and volunteers are needed in all sorts of roles. They might be welcoming and giving information to visitors, selling and checking tickets or helping to sell dinosaur merchandise. Those working as exhibition assistants will be literally ‘walking with dinosaurs’ as they circulate within the exhibition, making sure it is all clean and tidy, and assisting visitors with queries.
Anyone who likes working with people and is happy to be amongst the roaring and moving of the dinosaurs, is welcome to get in touch.
Charlotte Amato-Gauci, Volunteer Coordinator at the Cathedral, said: “We are delighted that already 30people have volunteered, from 6th formers and young people looking for work experience, to dinosaur enthusiasts, volunteers whose usual workplaces are quiet in the summer and some who are newly retired. There are still plenty of opportunities as the exhibition runs over a six-week period and there are both evening and daytime shifts to cover.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and support your community - you also get to spend time in an awe-inspiring building. Without volunteers, we simply could not manage at the Cathedral and we value their time greatly.”
Graham Williams, who first started volunteering at the Cathedral for the Tim Peake’s Spacecraft exhibition in 2018, added: “I really enjoy volunteering for the Cathedral. The staff are always so friendly and make you feel comfortable and appreciated.”
To find out more about volunteering email volunteer. coordinator@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk or telephone on 01733 355315.
living, breathing, life-like dinosaurs