Buckets of Fun with Wallace and Gromit at Weston Super Mare
On Saturday 16 July, Wallace and Gromit will join young designers and professional architects on the beach at Weston super Mare for a Sandcastle Competition with an architectural theme.
Up to 40 teams are expected to compete in Architectural Sandcastles 2011 from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and North Somerset Council, with all donations raised going to Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal, The Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.
Teams of architects, students, and budding amateur designers will compete in four categories for Tallest, Most Technically Daring and Best Overall sandcastle. Day-trippers and holiday-makers will be invited to choose their favourite in the People’s Choice Award.
Alongside Wallace and Gromit, the sand structures will be judged by former RIBA President George Ferguson CBE, Royal Society of Architects in Wales President Pierre Wassenaar, and Vice Chair of North Somerset Council Cllr Terry Porter.
Architectural Sandcastles 2011 will be located near the Weston Sand Sculpture Festival site giving holiday-makers a real visual feast in what can be created from the sand.
RIBA South West Regional Director Jon Watkins said ‘Architecture is all about designing great places for people and what better than to use the wonderful sands at Weston to create some magnificent structures on an architectural theme. It’s about having fun on the beach and entertaining the crowds so we hope to see lots of teams and lots of spectators’.
Lauren Vincent, Fundraising Manager at The Grand Appeal said ‘We are delighted that RIBA are supporting The Grand Appeal with their fantastic Sandcastles event. We have such great support in Weston and hope that everyone will come along on the day to support the Children’s Hospital and to meet Wallace and Gromit!”
The competition is free to enter and open to teams of 4-6 individuals with advance registration essential. Further information on registration and times can be found at www.architecture.com/ribasouthwest.
