A NEWLY created ark inspired by hope is about to have its official opening ceremony today (July 28).
The idea to create this symbolic replica began to form during the dark days of the pandemic where every rainbow seen appeared to send a message of hope.
But creating an ark was not plain sailing.
Sarah Hardy, who is a church warden at St Mark’s Church, said: “We had to think about the design and tried to get an idea by searching online. We found a template for a toy and two giant arks in Denmark and America.
“So, I made a protype out of the cardboard box that my son’s computer chair had come in with lions on it and even put a rug inside it.”
Once they had a design, they had to get permission from the church and official planning permission because the church is a listed building.
Sarah added: “We set up a competition for school children from Wyndham Park’s Infants School, Exeter House School, and St Mark’s School to draw sea creatures and it became a real community endeavour.
They contacted a woodman in the New Forest who gave them the wood if they would just send a donation to Alabare. They also contacted Men in Sheds – the Salisbury initiative that helps to combat social isolation to help with the ark.
Sarah said: “I was trying to think who to contact to officially open the ceremony and sent a letter to David Attenborough who amazingly sent a hand-written letter back stating he had to sadly decline.”
Visitors can go to the open day at St Mark’s Church in Salisbury on Thursday (July 28) from 2pm and there will be a bouncy castle, an ark exhibition, mini-beasts, and refreshments.
More information about the ark can be found on the website.
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