The LEGO® brick animal trail comes to the North East
The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s (WWT) giant LEGO brick animal trail, the only one of its kind in the UK, is launching at WWT Washington Wetland Centre this Easter and is anticipated to be a massive hit. This is the first time these amazing characters specially created for WWT will be seen in the North East among the real life animals that inspired them.
Through the giant brick animal trail, the nature reserve in Washington, Tyne and Wear is using the world’s most popular toy to encourage kids (and big kids) to build a better future for nature.
Visitors to Washington Wetland Centre will be able to enjoy nine individually-designed LEGO brick characters until 17 April. The giant animals - some up to twelve times life size, include Kate the kingfisher – a riot of orange and blue bricks, Flavia the Andean flamingo, standing tall on her long yellow brick legs and Benedict the Bewick’s swan, magnificently stretching his brick wings. Another model, Lottie the otter will be of particular interest following the birth of 4 baby otters just 2 weeks ago at the centre.
These magnificent brick models were created by Bright Bricks, the UK’s only certified LEGO professionals, and Tom Poulsom, the famous LEGO brick ‘birdman’. In total, 120,300 LEGO bricks were used over 915 hours to make all 9 characters. Lottie the otter and Bruce the Red Breasted goose took the longest time to make at 120 hours each.
Gill Pipes, Washington’s General Manager said:
“We’re thrilled to welcome the new species that are landing at Washington Wetland Centre this Easter. We know our visitors old and new are going to absolutely love them. They’re a really fun way to highlight some of the animals WWT helps to protect, such as the iconic nene and our Asian short-clawed otters.
Here at Washington Wetland Centre, we take particular pride in helping to conserve the Hawaiian goose (nene) the world’s rarest goose, which was originally identified as a species that needed protecting by our founder Sir Peter Scott when only 20-30 remained in the wild. Today we have 18 nenes here at Washington Wetland Centre and the population in the wild is over 3000. By using LEGO bricks as a building block, we’re hoping to inspire the next generation to continue Sir Peter’s work of saving threatened wildlife such as the nene.”
As well as the trail, budding sculptors will be able to take part in creative fun and games at exclusive LEGO brick workshops, building mini-figures and take part in team challenges. Visitors will also be able to buy limited edition mini LEGO brick animal models, only available at WWT. All proceeds will support WWT’s essential conservation work in the UK and around the world.
There is no extra cost to meet the giant LEGO brick animals at Washington Wetland Centre; the trail is included in the admission price. Places for the awesome workshops can be pre-booked on line at an additional cost of £8.50. To find out more about the Giant LEGO brick animals and other brick activities please visit wwt.org.uk/legobrickanimals or follow #LEGOBrickAnimals.
The fun doesn’t stop at LEGO brick animals at Washington Wetland Centre, we also have some great events coming this summer including our Downy Duckling Days (May half term) and Nature Explorers (Summer holidays).
