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DippyChoir(c)BillSmith Norwich
Norwich Cathedral choir welcome dinosaur Dippy 

Dippy the dinosaur has taken up residence at Norwich Anglican Cathedral for the final stop on his nationwide tour and was welcomed in style by cathedral choristers.

Ahead of the exhibition opening to the public today (July 13), some of the Cathedral’s choristers were among the first to enjoy a glimpse of Dippy, the Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus cast.
 
They celebrated his arrival by singing Rutter’s All Things Bright and Beautiful around Dippy before nine-year-old chorister Ralph Lambert-John performed the all-important task of putting the final bone in place on the skeleton assisted by Philippa Charles, the Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation.
 
Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure is being brought to Norwich Cathedral and visitors across the UK by the Natural History Museum in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill. Norwich Cathedral is the eighth and final stop on the tour and Barratt and Cooke is the regional sponsor for the exhibition.
 
The Nave of the 900-year-old Norman Cathedral will be Dippy’s home for nearly four months, with the Dippy on Tour exhibition running from Tuesday July 13 until Saturday October 30.
 
The Dean of Norwich, the Very Rev Jane Hedges, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Natural History Museum’s Dippy the dinosaur cast to Norwich Cathedral. It really is quite incredible to see this amazing prehistoric creature stretching out amongst the beautiful architecture of the Cathedral’s Norman Nave. Throughout the centuries, naves have traditionally always been places that have hosted all kinds of community events and we hope that Dippy’s stay here will bring great joy to all who come to see him.”
 
Doug Gurr, Director of London’s Natural History Museum, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Dippy to Norwich Cathedral for the eighth and final stop of Dippy on Tour.
 
“There are important lessons to be learnt from Dippy. The dinosaurs were the victims of a mass extinction event similar to the one we may very well be entering now as we face a planetary emergency.
 
“We hope that at Norwich Cathedral Dippy will once again educate and inspire visitors to foster a long-term respect for the natural world and create a future where both people and planet thrive.”
 
Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage said: “Dippy has been wowing audiences all across the country and I am pleased that for the final stop of his nationwide tour he will visit the ancient Norwich Cathedral. As we build back better from the pandemic, Dippy will help to attract visitors to the region and boost the local economy.”

Pictured above is Dippy being welcomed inside Norwich Cathedral by cathedral choristers. Picture © Bill Smith/Norwich Cathedral.
 

Keith Morris, 13/07/2021

Keith Morris
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