T-Rex spotted in Weymouth bay (From Thisisdorset)
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T-Rex spotted in Weymouth bay
9:41am Monday 20th July 2009 in
THE Jurassic Coast came to life when a dinosaur was spotted in Weymouth Bay.
The 20-ft high Tyrannosaurus Rex went for a paddle to the delight of youngsters over the weekend.
But council officials failed to see the funny side and dinosaur called Tex was taken away under police escort and impounded.
The metal model arrived in Weymouth bay courtesy of Great Dorset Maize Maze owner Paul Swaffield in his bid to have dinosaurs erected along the coast in time for the 2012 Olympics.
Mr Swaffield drove a tractor into Weymouth with Tex on a trailer and after passing the Jubilee clock he drove across the Esplanade, down a slope on to the beach and out to sea.
He said: “I drove it in as far as I could get it.
“My idea is to promote the Jurassic Coast for the 2012 Olympics as I’ve been trying to get a programme under way of putting giant dinosaurs in car parks.
“I want people who saw it to say whether it is a good idea. It’s all in aid of having a ‘wow factor’ for the Olympics. If we are a tourist area what better chance to do it.”
Weymouth and Portland Borough Council removed the model and Tex was given a police escort as he was taken to a compound.
But Mr Swaffield is hoping the council eventually sees the funny side and does not scrap Tex after he paid more than £2,000 to have it made.
He said: “I’m aware of legislation for cars but I’m not sure about dinosaurs.
“I’m not sure if you can impound a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The crowds down there loved it but they were a little bit surprised.
“I can understand the council taking it away because that’s their job.”
A Dorset Police spokesman confirmed they were called to help assist the council in removing the model to take it away. A spokesman for beach control said Mr Swaffield did not have any permission and the model had to be taken away for public safety.
She said: “It was quite a hazard so we had to take it away.
“It had metal spikes so we could not leave it on the beach. The dinosaur had to have a police escort when it was taken along the road as it was not a safe structure.”
Comments(16)
homeboy01
says...
10:05am Mon 20 Jul 09
caz maz
says...
10:52am Mon 20 Jul 09
It wont get passed though as the council doesn't like people thinking of good ideas. Like the idea of them been in the sea more than the car parks though!
weymouthfox
says...
12:27pm Mon 20 Jul 09
homeboy01
says...
1:00pm Mon 20 Jul 09
The Fish
says...
1:38pm Mon 20 Jul 09
not sure what rights W&PBC have when the object was clearly in the sea and well below the low tide mark!
(security word - "want-sign" - perhaps the council need one)
Bilious
says...
2:35pm Mon 20 Jul 09
weymouthfox wrote:Could no agree more.The council must have a "hot line" to get our local police to react that fast!
Police called to impound a metal dinosaur? Surely they have more important jobs to do in Weymouth. What an over-reaction by the council- and a waste of Dorset Police resources.
Suzi_Boo
says...
3:00pm Mon 20 Jul 09
homeboy01
says...
3:40pm Mon 20 Jul 09
Bilious wrote:No hotline just 999 thats why when anything else happens you get put on hold for quater of an hour
weymouthfox wrote: Police called to impound a metal dinosaur? Surely they have more important jobs to do in Weymouth. What an over-reaction by the council- and a waste of Dorset Police resources.Could no agree more.The council must have a "hot line" to get our local police to react that fast!
homeboy01
says...
3:42pm Mon 20 Jul 09
Bilious wrote:No hotline just 999 thats why when anything else happens you get put on hold for quater of an hour
weymouthfox wrote: Police called to impound a metal dinosaur? Surely they have more important jobs to do in Weymouth. What an over-reaction by the council- and a waste of Dorset Police resources.Could no agree more.The council must have a "hot line" to get our local police to react that fast!
The Old Rec
says...
5:41pm Mon 20 Jul 09
Genghis
says...
9:08pm Mon 20 Jul 09
CoogarUK.com
says...
10:19pm Mon 20 Jul 09
GMax
says...
10:47pm Mon 20 Jul 09
She said: “It was quite a hazard so we had to take it away.
“It had metal spikes so we could not leave it on the beach. The dinosaur had to have a police escort when it was taken along the road as it was not a safe structure.”
Half the metal fences from the guest houses along the seafront have spikes, can we have those removed to please as that is against health and safty!!!
C'mon, get real and stop waving all this health and safety BS.
By the looks of the pic it was not on the beach but in the water.
Therefore I can't see how in gods name it can be dangerous to people on the beach, oh, and it wasn't that far out to sea that it would be dangerous to shipping.
Botomline, perhaps he didn't have the paperwork to do it but weymouth & portland council should be proud of things like this because it brings attention to a beautiful stretch of coast.
GMax
The Fish
says...
12:23pm Tue 21 Jul 09
Galliano
says...
10:56pm Tue 21 Jul 09
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CRETACEOUS CRITTER: The dinosaur in Weymouth Bay
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Duckorange says...
9:59am Mon 20 Jul 09
Top marks for the publicity stunt, but really should have got permission first.