Sculptor Doug set for fun in spades

THE FIRST team to sign up for this year’s UK Sandcastle Competition at Woolacombe is throwing down the gauntlet to other teams.

Ilfracombe Round Table has unveiled its secret weapon... the appropriately named Doug.

Newest member Doug Burton is a professional sculptor, and as part of the team, he’s hoping to add his own artistic flair to the masterpiece in the sand.

The National Sandcastle Competition will this year take place on Sunday, July 3, on Woolacombe beach, to raise funds for North Devon Hospice.

Doug said: “I had heard lots about the competition but have never had the chance to take part before.

“When I joined Round Table and said that I was a professional sculptor, the guys immediately made me part of their sandcastle team. I hope I can bring a bit of imagination and help to build something unique.

“I know that we have plenty of keen diggers, so I suppose it will be my job to provide the creative direction.”

Ilfracombe Round Table chairman José Brinkman said that after years of taking part, this was their year to challenge for the trophy.

“We always enter the UK National Sandcastle Competition, not just to support North Devon Hospice, but also to enjoy a fantastic day out with our friends and families.

“We have produced some great sculptures and had huge amounts of fun, but our creations have never caught the eye of the judges. We now hope that with Doug’s artistic input we can finally lift the trophy.

“But we would love to see some competition from other businesses and groups in the area. They can give us a run for our money in our bid for the title.”

Rebecca Worth, from the hospice’s fundraising team, encouraged teams to sign up sooner rather than later.

“Last year we had teams from all corners of the UK taking part, so if you would like to be part of this fantastic day out, then please contact us soon to guarantee your entry,” she said.

“We get all kinds of teams taking part, from those who want to build something Da Vinci would be proud of, to those who are more keen on mucking about in the sand. But the one thing every team has in common is that they have huge amounts of fun.

“And most importantly, they are helping to raise money for North Devon Hospice, which cares for more than 100 local people every day.”

Teams of four to six people can now sign up for the UK National Sandcastle Competition at the website:

www.northdevonhospice.org.uk

Or for more information, call Rebecca Worth on 01271 347204.