The Noah’s Ark sculpture on the roundabout outside Chester Zoo will be getting a makeover and a new life, courtesy of a community project which will span across Cheshire West.
We reported recently that the ark had been decommissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
This led to a petition to save it being launched by local Conservatives.
The authority has been in discussions with Chester Zoo about removing the ark – which has been on the roundabout outside the for many years – as it was looking very tired and worn.
The ark was originally part of a council submission at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park back in 2009 and was then placed outside the zoo for passers-by to enjoy.
Now the ark has been lifted from its roundabout location and will be transported to Changing Lives Together, a community-focused social enterprise and charity which supports people and organisations across the county.
The ark will provide an exciting project for their Community Shed (formerly known as Men in Sheds) group in Winsford where participants work on woodworking, woodturning and upcycling projects as they share skills and socialise.
CWAC cabinet member, Cllr Richard Beacham said: “I am really grateful to Community Sheds for stepping up to the challenge of restoring the ark.
“I know many people were sad to hear that it is being removed from the roundabout, but now we can find a new home for it in Chester once it has been restored.”
Jo Garner, head of community development at Changing Lives Together said: “We are thrilled to be involved in the Noah’s Ark project, it will be a fabulous project for the Community Shed group.
“We would love to get schools in the borough involved in designing the revamped ark, a project we’re calling ‘ArkWork’.
“We are looking for designs based on recycling, environment and conservation and the final design will draw on all the ideas we receive.”
Schools that would like to get involved can get in touch with Changing Lives Together by emailing arkwork@changing-lives-together.org.uk.
For more information on the ArkWork project or joining the Community Shed in Winsford please contact Changing Lives Together on 01606 827 120.
Cathy Lunn from Chester Zoo commented: “It’s wonderful to hear that Changing Lives Together in Winsford will be bringing together local groups of all ages in the community to work on the restoration of the ark.
“We will be working closely with the council on creating a more fitting replacement on the roundabout that really highlights Chester Zoo’s role as a global science and conservation charity that is preventing extinction.”
Meanwhile, potential new locations for the revamped ark are currently being considered.
If you’ve got a suggestion for where it could go, why not comment below?
