Two giant wooden animals are captivating visitors once again, as the famous whale and turtle sculptures return to Poole.
The mahogany creations are now on display in the foyer of Lighthouse Poole, while a third sculpture, a hippo, will be unveiled inside the redeveloped Poole Museum when it reopens this autumn.
The animals were designed by artist Peter Hand in 1969 for children to play on at the Dolphin Poole, then known as the Arndale Centre. For nearly three decades, families saw them as part of their regular shopping trips, until they were removed from public display in 1997.
After being donated to Poole Museum last year, the sculptures were carefully restored during the museum’s £10 million transformation.
Councillor Andy Martin from BCP Council said the pieces were an important part of Poole’s shared history, adding that it was wonderful to see them sparking joy and nostalgia again.
Lighthouse Chief Executive Elspeth McBain said the animals had already been “meeting lots of old friends and making plenty of new ones” since going on show.
The return of these distinctive sculptures marks another milestone in the countdown to Poole Museum’s reopening, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, BCP Council and other cultural partners.
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