A new sculpture was unveiled at Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire to mark Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday.
On Friday 8 May, a wood-carved sculpture of Auroralumina attenboroughii was unveiled, alongside interpretation panels that share the story of the fossil and the connection to Sir David.
Scientists who had been studying the rocks of Charnwood Forest revealed the discovery of Auroralumina in 2022. The team, led by Dr Frankie Dunn of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, announced that the fossil represented the earliest known evidence of an animal predator, from around 560 million years ago. They chose to name the fossil after Sir David in recognition of his work raising awareness of Charnwood Forest’s fossils.
The sculpture, which was created by Leicestershire-based chainsaw sculptor, Peter Leadbeater was commissioned by the Charnwood Forest Geopark. Both the sculpture, and the new interpretation area have been made possible thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Leicestershire County Council and Charnwood Forest Geopark have been working in partnership to prepare the interpretation area ready for visitors to see this May.
Beacon Hill welcomes more than 350,000 visitors per year and welcomed Sir David Attenborough back to his Leicestershire roots in 2010 where part of the BBC series’ First Life was filmed.
Cllr Paul Harrison, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council, said: “Having this sculpture at one of Leicestershire’s iconic parks is a true honour.
With the warmer months approaching, it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of our green spaces and I’d encourage visitors to come along, see the sculpture and visit the top of the Beacon Hill to experience walking in Sir David’s footsteps.”
Councillor Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for country parks, said: “Sir David Attenborough is a local legendary figure whose passion for wildlife and conservation continues to pass on from generation to generation. And with Beacon Hill being home to hundreds of wildlife habitats and fragile heathland, it feels like the perfect home to welcome the sculpture of a local fossil named after him. I’m really grateful for the partnership working between the county council and Charnwood Forest Geopark to create the interpretation area.”
The sculpture is one of five that the Geopark will be installing across Charnwood Forest this year, celebrating the regions 560-million-year-old fossils.
Dr. Jack Mattews, Geoheritage Officer at Charnwood Forest Geopark, said: “Auroralumina attenboroughii is one of our most famous fossils – but its also very rare – so rare we keep its location secret. Thanks to our partnership with the county council, and the amazing sculpture of Sir David’s fossil, we can now share this fascinating story with visitors to the Geopark and ensure everyone knows just how amazing Charnwood Forest’s geology is.”
The fossil sculpture is located nearby the café at lower Beacon Hill Country Park car park.
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