COVENTRY was transported back into pre-historic times today (February 20) as hundreds of Coventrians dipped into the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum to see the iconic Dippy the Dinosaur be unveiled.
The 292-bone model of a diplodocus skeleton is 26metres long and 4.17metres high and will be featured in the Herbert over the next three years.
Coventry young ambassador and huge dinosaur fan Daisy-Marie Taylor, aged 10, had an experience she’ll never forget as she was selected to put Dippy’s final toe bone in place.
Daisy-Marie Taylor.
Picture by Marcus Mingins 0823004MMR5 www.buyphotos247.com
Dippy’s extended stay in Coventry comes after a 110-year tenure at the Natural History Museum, followed by an eight-city tour across the UK.
During this time, Dippy spent time in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dorchester, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Norwich and Rochdale.
And people poured in to see a glimpse of the dinosaur, with the eight previous cities to welcome Dippy seeing a combined 2million visitors and just under £36million of economic benefit.
Dippy has also appeared in TV programmes and blockbuster films such as Paddington and Night at the Museum 3.
To mark Dippy’s welcome, the Herbert has extended its opening hours during February half-term this week to allow more people to see the beloved dinosaur.
Visit Coventry’s managing director Paul Jones said Dippy’s arrival was a ‘real coup’ for the city and would provide a boost to tourism.
He added Dippy would attract thousands of new visitors to the city and provide ‘significant benefit’ to Coventry’s wider economy.
CV Life’s director of culture Marguerite Nugent added: “It is great to unveil Dippy to the public in its new Coventry residence at the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery and we are really looking forward to welcoming as many visitors as possible to see this iconic dinosaur.
“It was wonderful to be able to offer such a once-in-a-lifetime experience to Daisy-Marie Taylor – I am sure it’s something she’ll be telling people about for many years to come.”
Visit theherbert.org/whats-on to book free tickets to see Dippy.
