News from Living Coasts
A local charity is making a public appeal for help with a new project.
Living Coasts, on the Torquay harbourside, is searching for old scientific equipment and period laboratory objects to help create a new display.
Staff face a race against time to create the new exhibit, which is due to open in time for the Easter holidays. Called Coasts at Risk, it will take the form of a scientist’s field laboratory.
Living Coasts Senior Educator Clare Rugg said: “We are looking for old scientific instruments such as microscopes. They can be of any age. We are also hoping to track down pieces of period laboratory equipment such as conical flasks, pipettes, Bunsen burners, tripods, microscope specimen slides and scientific jars. It’s like dressing a theatre set with genuine artefacts.”
Other items such as fossils, rock specimens, bones, nautical items, antique postcards and old books on natural history, exploration and marine life would also be welcome.
“We cannot take anything too large and we are not looking for junk. People can send in photos or ring to tell us what they have. There are probably some brilliant things in the attics of Torbay – have a spring clean clear-out and donate them to a good cause!”
The new Coasts at Risk area will be located near the underwater seal tunnel. It will explore the threats to marine ecosystems around the world and offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of marine research and conservation. There will be a scientist there at certain times to run activities. It’s hoped that the new exhibit will be open for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
If you have anything the charity can use, contact Senior Educator Clare Rugg on (01803) 202470. Living Coasts is a registered charity. For more information go to www.livingcoasts.org.uk.
ENDS
Further information
Philip Knowling, Living Coasts Press Officer, 01803 697568
Telephone: 01803 697568
Fax: 01803 523457
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
www.livingcoasts.org.uk
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Philip Knowling 01803 697568
