Prehistoric fossil to go back on show at city museum
THE ICHTHYOSAUR IS ON SHOW AGAIN AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSERVATION WORK
A PREHISTORIC fossil found in a Warwickshire quarry is set to go back on display in Coventry after extensive conservation work.
The ichthyosaur, which dates back hundreds of millions of years, was discovered in 1933 in Harbury Cement Quarry.
It has been part of Herbert Art Gallery & Museum’s collection since the early 1960s. In 2018 a palaeontologist recommended the specimen should have further work to reveal more of the fossil underneath the rock covering.
Now, with the arrival of Dippy the dinosaur at the museum - a life-size, replica of a Diplodocus carnegii skeleton - the Herbert has found a sponsor to allow the work to be completed. It is due to go back on display as the central piece in the museum’s Warwickshire Jurassic Sea display this month.
Sponsor James Thomas, who donated the funds to pay for the conservation work, said: “I have always been a fan of dinosaurs and prehistoric life so was delighted when the Herbert announced Dippy was coming to Coventry. I wanted to donate to support the museum’s collections and hope that the conservation work will uncover more information about the Herbert’s star ichthyosaur.
“It’s particularly meaningful for me as the money I’m donating was left to me by grandmother and great-aunt; I have no doubt they would be delighted that it’s helping me follow a passion of mine.”
Restoration work on the ichthyosaur’s, undertaken by conservator
Nigel Larkin, has outlined a flurry of new details.
Curator Ali Wells said: “I am delighted at the opportunity to discover more about one of our specimens. Parts of the creature’s teeth, eye ring and skull are visible but the conservation work has brought it to life even more.
“And on top of that there’s the opportunity to have the fossil scanned by Warwick Manufacturing Group to reveal what’s inside, something that was not possible when the specimen first arrived at the museum in 1961.”
Ichthyosaur factsichthyosaurs are not dinosaurs, but their sea-based cousins, also known as marine reptiles. They lived in the sea and came to the surface for air.
Ichthyosaurs are extinct and looked similar to modern dolphins, although they are not related. They hunted sea creatures such as ammonites and fish.
Ichthyosaurs had large eye sockets and special bones, called a sclerotic ring, which helped to protect the eye from water pressure at depth. Different species ranged from one to 20 metres long.
The ichthyosaur’s return will see a new virtual reality experience at the museum based around Coventry and Warwickshire’s Jurassic-period marine life. Visitors can trace the ichthyosaur’s route to Coventry - from swimming around Warwickshire’s Jurassic seas to being discovered in the quarry.
Find out more about the VR experience on the Herbert’s website and learn more about Warwickshire’s Jurassic sea at www.theherbert.org/whatson/1714/warwickshires-jurassic-sea
“TAKE it off! Take it off! Take it off!” – the chant rang out across the packed room as fans clapped and screamed. A baying crowd of holidaymakers had made their celebrity guesses but now was the time for the big Masked Singer reveal.
And as the famous face lifted off the giant comedy monster head, the recognisable TV star – we can’t say who for spoiler reasons – emerged waving emphatically to a front row of delighted kids and parents all cheering and saying “I told you!” to their nearest loved ones.
This was the classic British Butlin’s holiday at its very peak.
Joy-filled families packed into a large stage-lighted theatre room, laden with tuck shop sweets, bright flashing toys, wrestling-style foam hands and wide brimming smiles.
Relishing in a live touring performance of their favourite Saturday night telly show, they were all reacting as one to a top-drawer gig on the well trodden boards at Skegness resort.
The Masked Singer is one of two big new experiences on offer at the Lincolnshire fun hub this year, alongside Skypark, a £2.5million playground designed specifically so children of all abilities can play together, shoulder to shoulder.
And while both experiences are about as far apart as they can be in design, they have one major thing in common – real-life interaction.
We’re all very aware nowadays how much screen time we’re having. And, for parents in particular, there’s a constant guilt whenever the kids spend time on an ipad or a mobile phone in return for a “few minutes’ peace”. Butlin’s feels like an ideal antidote to all that.
It has the knack of reinventing itself, evolving with the times while maintaining that quintessentially British holiday feel.
The focus this year is on physical fun and play, something that feels much needed in 2023, with Skypark being the central hub.
It’s a sprawling, colour-packed playground area just behind the central Skyline dome. By night it’s packed with lights and interactivity. You have six different zones celebrating “positive play emotions”. So it’s big towers to climb that give great views across the nearby Skegness beach, tunnel slides for the explorers, the country’s longest seesaw which powers the lighting when kids work together and a computer-controlled beacon area with tap-the-pod competitive games.
It all adds up to children running around in a whirl of excitement as they make new friends. Skegness resort has also completely revamped its fairground. On our Easter trip it was so new we were given stickers to say we were among the first to try out the sparkly new rides, such as gravity thriller Eclipse and tower drop Orbiter. The go karts were highly popular with snaking queues of adrenaline junkies keen on a speed fix.
As was Super Swing, which gave the riders that odd but giggly, swooshing feeling in the pit of the belly, as it pounded around at a stomach-floating 27 degrees. The mega-sized pool was a popular draw too and our gang of four went every day, enjoying not only the lazy river and central whirlpool but also thrilling rides for all the family. We loved filling a three-person green dinghy before belting down Riptide Raft, a giant flume that culminated in a huge splash and fits of laughter. Older ones should also try out Jetstream and Vortex, two high-speed water slides that snake outside the building at points before twisting and turning into an electric finish.
If all that excitement wasn’t enough the shows are top drawer. You’ve got the likes of Peppa Pig, Skyline Gang and PJ Masks for the young ones during the day in the main pavilion with the bigger all-family affairs in Centre Stage and Reds bars in the evening.
As well as The Masked Singer we enjoyed a wonderful trip through the West End’s best current stage shows in Jukebox Musicals, a mix of instantly recognisable tunes.
The Butlin’s singers and dancers really put in an effort over the hour-long festival, belting out songs effortlessly while sticking to first-class, polished choreography.
You’ve also got Festivals Rock, a full-on gig style celebration of rock ’n’ roll without the mud.
Plus the likes of Saturday Night Takeaway star Stephen Mulhern will return with a live magic show throughout the summer.
As they’re so popular, it’s worth paying a little extra for the new Early Access VIP wristbands that give you entry to the main event rooms 15 minutes before the crowd, letting you bag the best seats.
The accommodation at Skegness revolves around nostalgic chalet apartments. Standard rooms sleep up to four with all mod cons: shower, decent beds and TV in the master bedroom. Those willing to shell out a bit more can get closer to the main attractions by staying at the Seaside Apartments. These have the extra benefit of new towels each day, a bigger TV in the main room and a general home-away-from-home vibe. You can also add on dining packages for all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner throughout your stay.
Brekkie has all the traditional fry-ups and bacon sarnies that you can manage, plus teas, coffees, fruits and cereals.
Dinner is a different feast every night, offering guests full-on Sunday roasts alongside Chinese stir fries, made-to-request pastas and tasty cake treats to top it off.
And of course let’s not forget what lies outside the resort.
There’s the Blue Flag sandy Skegness beach right on your doorstep complete with donkey rides in the summertime.
The famous pier is a focal point for many a people-watcher wanting to while away the hours in the sunshine. And for those still seeking thrills after the Butlin’s rides, you’ve got the Fantasy Island theme park that offers 30 big rides such as The Millennium and Odyssey, both of which are hair-raisers that can compete with the likes of Alton Towers. Day wristbands there start from £14.50 (fantasyislandresort.co.uk). Butlin’s has been and remains a fantastic all-round holiday destination for all the family. It is reasonably priced and packs in a load of activities and experiences. Whether its climbing high ropes, taking part in a Dance Academy with the Skyline Gang, or something simpler such as a round of crazy golf and a blitz on the 2p arcade machines.
So with cash tight for so many families right now, there’s a lot to like in a classic, great value British trip.
The famous pier is a focal point for many a people-watcher...