Shame to see the dragon go from the roundabout, but all the more excuse to now head to Robin Hill. This in from the press office. Ed
A metal sculpture of a dragon that has stood on Coppins Bridge in Newport for the last six months is going to a new home.
The ‘Wight Dragon’, a four and half metre tall structure that was built from recycled materials by pupils at the Clatterford Tuition Centre, was erected in April with temporary planning permission.
The design is based on an old folklore tale about what the Island looks like.
In ancient times, the chalk downs which form the central spine of the Island were thought to resemble a dragon, with its tail being The Needles and its head at Bembridge Foreland.
Heading to Robin Hill
With the temporary planning permission running out this month, the management of Robin Hill Country Park near Newport have agreed to give the dragon a new home in the park as part of its sculptures display
The dragon has been removed from Coppins Bridge and is scheduled to be installed at Robin Hill in early 2011.
Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member for Community Safety Barry Abraham said “The council and Clatterford Tuition Centre has had lots of positive feedback about the Wight Dragon. It is very pleasing the sculpture will be going on display at Robin Hill where it will continue to be enjoyed by thousands of people every week”
Iconic dragon welcome here
Darren Cool, Robin Hill’s Park Manager said “The park is delighted to be giving the Wight Dragon sculpture a new home. We were already looking to replace an old sculpture in our woodland gardens and this was a perfect solution.
“The dragon has become quite iconic and our thousands of local and mainland visitors will enjoy seeing it here next year as they wander through the gardens”.
The Wight Dragon project was partly funded by the Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership of which Isle of Wight Council and Hampshire Constabulary are both key partners. It aims to provide positive activities for young people and to tackle anti-social behaviour.
