World’s largest surfboard instead of giant deck chair for Heywood roundabout
By e_glanfield | Tuesday, October 02, 2012, 13:12
THE world’s largest surfboard could be erected on a North Devon roundabout instead of a giant deckchair after a Westward Ho! businessman changed his mind.
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How the giant surfboard could look on Bideford’s Heywood roundabout if the plan is approved
Last month, we reported how Rob Braddick, Managing Director of Braddicks Leisure, planned to place a giant deckchair measuring more than eight metres tall on Heywood Roundabout on the A39.
Now, Mr Braddick has decided to change the design to a 42ft surfboard following negative backlash to the deckchair idea.
Mr Braddick said: “A lot of people didn’t like the deck chair idea. It had a lot of people talking about it, some people loved it but some people were against it.
“After reading the comments on social networking sites like Facebook, I saw somebody suggested the surfboard idea and I liked it.
“There were other ideas like a giant pebble and a Hockings ice cream van which were quite nice but I think the surfboard is good.”
The surfboard, which would be made from steel with a vinyl design overlay, would be cemented into the roundabout and secured in a steel frame, if approved by authorities.
At 42ft tall, it would be 2ft taller than the current world record holder in Australia.
Mr Braddick added: “The aim is to put Westward Ho! on the map. The roundabout gets a lot of traffic and people just drive straight across it to Bideford and onto Cornwall. It would be great to make people realise there’s a three-mile beach just down the road.”
“The whole of Westward Ho! would benefit from it.”
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Comments
If someone wants a work of art on the roundabout, then why not run a competition for local artists to enter? Best design gets made and installed - that kind of thing.
By Accountancy Edge at 14:47 on 04/10/12
ReportI'm with Accountancy Edge, some nice floral displays would be enough. I don't really get either the deck chair or surf-board idea. Neither are art, imo.
By oldtimer at 14:26 on 04/10/12
ReportI'd be happy with some decent landscaping (and taking down the barriers that reduce visibility when approaching from Northam).
I don't think either of Rob Braddick's ideas really say anything about the area.
By Accountancy Edge at 12:53 on 04/10/12
ReportI'm not sure. I really like the idea of doing something with this roundabout, but the traffic flies around it, as it is, and I worry it will be a distraction to drivers.
By Biddytalk at 11:41 on 04/10/12
ReportMy first thought is that this is a stupid idea as anything as interesting and unusual as a 42ft surfboard or giant deckchair is going to be a massive distraction to a drivers attention and you really do not want distracted drivers on a roundabout! Accidents are bound to happen.
And yes, there is a large beach in bideford but it isn't a good enough surfing beach to be marketing it as such with a giant surfboard.
People are not going to pass a giant surfboard on a roundabout and think "umm a giant surfboard, I must turn right on this roundabout and holiday in Westward ho!
Westward Ho! is not going to attract hip city folk who are used to spending holiday time in pretty places such as padstow, cornwall with it's great restaurants and shops.
By Junction27 at 22:13 on 03/10/12
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