Ploddy's grand entrance at Norfolk Show

As the 12-month countdown begins for Dippy the dinosaur's visit to Norwich Cathedral, a prehistoric puppet called Ploddy made a grand entrance at the Royal Norfolk Show. Dippy, the Natural History Museum’s iconic dinosaur cast, is due to arrive at Norwich Cathedral in July 2020 for the final stop on the Dippy on Tour exhibition.

And ahead of Dippy’s exciting visit, Ploddy - a 28ft Diplodocus puppet – had a great time entertaining visitors at the Royal Norfolk Show on Thursday (27 June).

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Jane Hedges, acted at the dinosaur keeper for the day and led Ploddy on a walkabout around the Norfolk Showground before taking the puppet into the Grand Ring for the Royal Norfolk Show’s Closing Ceremony.

Ploddy has been commissioned by Norwich Cathedral and created by Ali MacKenzie and Matt Reeve with the team from Norwich-based Tin House who last year wowed the public with their incredible elephant puppets which paraded through Norwich as part of the 2018 Lord Mayor’s Celebration and Circus250 festivities.

Ploddy will also be joining the elephant puppets - and Norwich’s famous Snap dragon - in the Lord Mayor’s Procession which will this year weave its way around the city’s streets on Saturday 6 July from 5pm.

Dippy on Tour

Dippy, the Natural History Museum’s iconic Diplodocus cast, will be on display at Norwich Cathedral from 11 July 2020 until 31 October 2020.

It will be the final stop in Dippy’s eight-venue tour that started in Dorset County Museum in 2018 and has so far seen the dinosaur cast visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Ulster Museum, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

Dippy is currently at the Great North Museum, in Newcastle upon Tyne, and the tour will also travel to National Museum Cardiff, and Number One Riverside, Rochdale, before arriving at Norwich Cathedral in July 2020.

The Natural History Museum has hosted the famous 22-metre dinosaur cast since 1905 and, with generous support from the Garfield Weston Foundation, it is hoped the nationwide tour will help to inspire a new generation of scientists and encourage families to explore nature on their doorstep.

Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure is in partnership with Garfield Weston Foundation and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill.

For more information, visit nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour

Pictures: Simon Finlay Photography