A DAD who installed a 10ft T-Rex dinosaur in his front garden says that “cars stop to take pictures” of the giant sculpture.
Ben Maddocks, 50, put up the whopping dinosaur on top of a blue shipping container which he uses as a garage at his Bristol home.
SWNSBen Maddocks with his son Noah who’s dinosaur mad[/caption]
SWNSBen put the T-Rex statue on top of a shipping container which he uses as a garage[/caption]
SWNSThe Bristol dinosaur now draws people who want to get a picture[/caption]
The dad, originally bought the nine-foot-six metalwork from a garden centre for his son Noah, 6, who is a massive dinosaur fan.
The dinosaur has been living in Ben’s back garden for about three years, but he recently decided he wanted it to take centre stage house.
And he says that people often stop to gawk at the whopping dino sculpture.
Ben said: “It’s amazing – the amount of children who stop to look and smile, cars that stop to take pictures.
He added: “When we saw it up for sale, we thought we would buy that for Noah.
“Because of Noah being autistic and into dinosaurs, he’s got boxes, boxes and boxes of dinos.
“Noah didn’t know I had put it up as he was at school – so when he came home around the corner, he was like ‘Oh my god, my dino is on the roof!’.
“He believes it climbed up there himself.”
Ben had to buy a shipping container which doubled as a garage but said it was worth it for Noah.
The father-of-eight explained: “Ultimately, we wanted to put it on the roof of the house – but it weighs so much, about a quarter of a tonne – so we were worried it might come through the ceiling!”
The sculpture is made out of metal, and Ben says he was able to get it on the container with “great difficulty”.
He said: “I lifted it on with ropes and stuff but got it up there.
“He’s well bolted down as you don’t want that falling on your head!”
But the massive dinosaur has had a far bigger impact than Ben ever dreamed of.
The dad continued: “I didn’t expect it to do what it’s done – but don’t get me wrong it does stand out of course!
“It’s lovely that it is bringing a sense of smile and positivity to the community.
“Rather than having lots of negativity, it is something that is making people happy.
“There’s not a lot to smile about lately, so it’s making kids’ days.”
Avid biker Ben also voluntarily runs Bikers in Bristol as well as being a full-time carer for his dad.
He said the dinosaur will remain at their home for a long time.
He added: “If I come across something a bit weird, different or unusual, I normally buy it because, as my wife says, that’s the way I am.
“We just get on with things and enjoy it, and if the kids are happy, I’m happy.
“Because its brought such a sense of happiness to lots and lots of people, the dino is not going to be coming down anytime.”
SWNSThe giant dinosaur is nearly 10ft tall[/caption]
SWNSIt has brought happiness to many people, says Ben[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
