Dom Joly sticks it out for Swindon
|
Dom Joly supporting Swindon. Surely not?
But that's exactly what happened today at the Science Museum at Wroughton, where Joly - who has previously described our good old town as the 'Bronx of the Cotswolds' - took part in a spectacular stunt to publicise the Museum's Inspired Project.
The larger-than-life comedian brave enough to velcro himself to the front of a mini bus (see video below) - which then sped off down the runway at the former air base with Joly clinging to the bonnet!
HANGING ON!
Dom Joly risking life and lim in the name of Swindon |
The daring feat marking the first day of the Punk Science national tour, an exciting roadshow which will be visiting shopping centres across the UK to drive support for the Science Museum's bid for £50 million of Lottery funding.
Money that, if successful, would transform the current site into a new interactive museum where visitors will get the chance to design and build robots, hot air balloons, and even a solar-powered car, and enjoying interactive spectacular shows, awesome acrobatics, and huge displays in cutting-edge indoor and outdoor arenas.
|
Havin' a Joly time:
Dom Joly velcroed to the front of the minibus |
"This place is absolutely amazing," said Dom, "and when they asked me to do something daring to promote it, I thought. Why not?
"I just love velcro! It was amazing."
"The Punk Science Tour is a great idea," he added, "I never liked science at school, but these guys will be showing children across the country that it can be fun and exciting."
|
Coming to a shopping centre near you:
the Punk Science team all set to go on tour |
As part of their wacky shows, the Punk Science team will be demonstrating how to fly; how the greenhouse effect works; and many other wild and messy experiments.
All in advance of a televised vote taking place this December, where the Science Museum's Inspired project is upagainst six other candidates bidding for Lottery funding.
For further details visit the website via the link below.
Or text ‘SMS Inspired’ to 88833 to sign-up for free updates and the latest news as it happens on this exciting project. |
|
STORY UPDATE: 14 August 2007 11.45am
Stars back an inspiring project
Swindon's bid for a brand new multi-million pound museum is gathering pace - and celebrity endorsement.
Various personalities from the world of TV and music have been voicing their support to help create Europe’s largest museum on the site that is presently the Science Museum at Wroughton.
|
Inspired for the future:
an artist impression of how the museum
will look if it wins the bid |
Jeremy Clarkson, Dom Joly, Johnny Vaughan, Alex James, Trevor Baylis and Adam Hart Davis are the first of what looks likely to become a long list of ambassadors who are keen to see the £50 million pound project come to fruition.
"It's critical the Science Museum wins the forthcoming competition," commented Clarkson, who visited the site last week.
|
Jeremy Clarkson:
supporting Swindon museum bid |
"It’s a truly jaw dropping experience. Just to the left of the creaking, rusted door, tucked away in an unlit corner, is the Blue Steel missile, Britain’s first nuke. And parked behind it is a two stage Polaris rocket, but at the moment it's behind closed doors!"
The Science Museum in London can only house just eight per cent of its exhibits at any one time with a quarter of a million exhibits going unseen.
Inspired will be a new interactive museum where visitors will get the chance to design and build robots, hot air balloons, and even a solar-powered car, and enjoying interactive spectacular shows, awesome acrobatics, and huge displays in cutting-edge indoor and outdoor arenas.
"It's wonderful to have such big names associated with the project," said Martin Earwicker, Director of the National Museum of Science and Industry.
"If we win the vote (which is down to the British public later this year via a televised vote) the Science Museum Swindon, will be the
largest museum in Europe."
“Science and technology are the most fascinating ways to explore and improve the world we live in," commented Scientist, author and tv presenter Adam Hart Davis, "and the world desperately needs more people who are inspired”.
Festival of the future
To show exactly what all the fuss is about, the Science Museum, Swindon will be hosting a two day ‘Festival of the Future’ on the 25 and 26 August 2007 where members of the public can witness Dom Joly performing a Death Defying Jump as an incredible gesture of his support.
For further details visit the website via the link below.
Or text ‘SMS Inspired’ to 88833 to sign-up for free updates and the latest news as it happens on this exciting project.
|
Science Museum Swindon launches 'Inspired' bid
05 April 2007
It's been described as one of Swindon's best kept secrets - the home to a rarely seen collection of truly amazing objects.
And if a new idea called 'Inspired', launched today, can win enough support, we're all set to have a brand new £50 million pound interactive science museum right on our door step.
|
Inspired learning:
the current Science Museum Swindon
- which with your support could be transformed |
The project, which will be set at the current Science Museum Swindon site at Wroughton - a vast 545 acre, ex-WWII airfield - is hoping to bring to life the human stories and moments of genius behind 200,000 iconic objects which are stored in the hangers there.
Just a fraction
Currently only 8% of the items are ever on display at the Science Museum in London. A huge waste according to the leaders of the Inspired bid.
|
A glimpse of the future?:
how a new Science Museum Swindon would look
if the lottery grant is secured |
 |
"We have the space and the plan to showcase so many more of these fascinating objects," commented Martin Earwicker, Director of the National Museum of Science and Industry.
"And Swindon is the ideal location. More than just a museum, Inspire is the opportunity to provide a marvellous, interactive spectacle."
The future of Inspired's plan is now down to public support and lottery funding to the tune of £50 million pounds.
The final decision being made in a special television vote this coming December, to see whether the Swindon dream of a brand new museum is realised.
If successful, the new attraction will be scheduled to open in 2010.
|
Behind closed doors:
the hangars at Wroughton currently house over 200,000
objects- a new museum would provide the space
to display many of them as well offering workshops,
themed dramas and science shows |
 |
Today's launch included a new text service to give everyone the opportunity to keep up to date with any developments.
To register text SMS Inspired to 88833.
Full details about the project and how to support it are available via the links below.
|
Science Museum
