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Colossal squid sighted
Giant squid at Viking Bay helped to launch Kent Coastal Week, as
more than 100 people took to the beach for this year’s Big
Draw.
Organised by the Thanet Coast Project, the community arts
project was led by local artist Martin Cheek. The giant sand
drawing was based on a section of the annual winter sand barriers
put in place to protect the shoreline from the winter storms.
Tony Child, Thanet Coast Project Manager, said: “It was a great
day out on the beach in superb autumn sunshine. It took under three
hours to create the giant sand sculpture with its 10 tentacles
spreading out across the bay. The draw attracted even more
participants, with many taking advantage of the impromptu
playground, but even more intrigued onlookers viewed the creation
from the cliffs around the bay.”
On Sunday, marine ecologist and crab expert, Ian Humpheryes, led
a Rocky Shore Discovery Tour, with more than 40 people exploring
the coast and finding hidden creatures along the rocky shore at
Walpole Bay in Cliftonville. Mother and son, Sandra and Harry
Gudynas, caught two intriguing fish separately. The Corkwing Wrasse
(Crenilabrus melops) is one of our most colourful fish – with
electric turquoise and orange colouration – making it look like
something you may expect to view in a tropical fish tank, than on
our own coastline. The other was the gruesome short-spined Sea
Scorpion or strangely named Father Lasher (Myoxocephalus scorpius)
with its very broad spiny head and mouth.
All the events have taken place as part of Kent Coastal Week
(www.coastalkent.net/),
which runs until Sunday (28 October) and are taking place with
sponsorship and assistance from Kent County Council and Thanet
District Council.
Other events saw the Rock Doc bringing alive the history of the
cliffs to life at Pegwell Bay, whilst the seal watching trips
leaving Ramsgate Royal Harbour have been fully booked due to the
huge popular demand. Extra excursions have also been so popular
that new ones have been arranged by Horizon Sea Safaris (Tel: 07931
744788)
Further information about the Thanet Coast Project and events
can be viewed at http://www.thanetcoast.org.uk/
ENDS
Published 24.10.07
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