News Delve into Iggy’s history as part of the Shaun the Sheep trail
As part of ‘History’ week at the Shaun the Sheep Trail, Maidstone Borough Council is encouraging visitors to enjoy the stunning ‘Unearthing Iggy’ sculpture which is in the courtyard outside Maidstone Museum, and then to pop into the Museum to find out how it was inspired.
The free art trail ‘Shaun in the Heart of Kent’ project has been brought to the County Town by Heart of Kent Hospice, with MBC supporting it as Presenting Partner.
‘Unearthing Iggy’ was designed by Kentish artist Jasmine Haskell and inspired by Maidstone’s Iggy the dinosaur. In 1834, during the excavation of a quarry in the Queen’s Road area of Maidstone, a fossil bone was uncovered which appeared to be from an animal of tremendous size. After further investigation, by quarry owner Mr WH Bensted, it was found that this bone was one piece of a partial skeleton: one of the first ‘dinosaurs’ to be discovered, now known as an Iguanodon.
The find was internationally significant as it helped to show how the bones of the iguanodon fitted together.
Cllr Stephen Thompson, MBC Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities in Maidstone said:
"The wonderful Shaun the Sheep art trail is such a joy! The colourful Shauns all around Maidstone really are adding fun to the town. Our very own ‘Unearthing Iggy’ helps tell the story behind Maidstone’s famous dinosaur and we hope visitors will also take the opportunity to go inside the Museum to find out more about our long history.”
The trail is in place until 30 August, celebrating a different theme every week and ‘History’ week runs from 20 July.
The fabulous public art trail has 51 large uniquely designed sheep sculptures, with small flocks placed around the town, riverside walks, parks and public buildings to delight and surprise all who see them.
A free trail map and app have been designed to help everyone find all the Shauns and take part in the fun art trail. Both can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Or people can pick up a map from key locations around the town centre including Shaun HQ in Fremlin Walk or Shaun’s Baa-rn in the Mall.
MBC’s other large Shaun ‘Flock to Maidstone’ can found outside the Town Hall in Jubilee Square.
Further themes celebrated during the project include Family Fun Week 27 July-2 August, Wellbeing Week 3-9 August and Creativity Week 10-16 August.
For more information about Shaun in the Heart of Kent and to keep up to date with all the latest news go to: www.shaunheartofkent.co.uk
Sign up to Maidstone Borough Council e-newsletters ‘Stay Connected’ to receive vital news and updates via email for the many services and events provided by the Council https://maidstone.gov.uk/StayConnected