ANYONE with a passion for Taunton or Somerset should take part in our dragon trail design competition, it was claimed this week.

As reported last week, creative people in the county could see their designs used on the full-scale models in this summer’s Taunton Deane Dragon Trail.

The trail, based on the Gromit Unleashed trail in Bristol, is being put together by volunteers and will see 5ft dragon models form a trail centring on Taunton, but also including Wellington and Wiveliscombe.

The idea is to bring business-boosting footfall as well good old fashioned family fun to the area.

People of any age are being invited to submit artwork as part of a competition to create and select the designs which will be used to decorate the dragons.

Entrants whose artwork is chosen for a Deane Dragon will receive a certificate recognising their achievement, their name will be featured on the plaque going with the dragon, and they will be included on the trail website and promotional material.

This week, Andy Knutt, director of the Creative Innovation Centre at Memorial Hall in Paul Street, Taunton, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for individuals and businesses to be part of our town history.

“At CICCIC we know Taunton’s full of creative people and businesses, and we encourage all to get involved and be creative as possible.

“Once complete, Taunton will become a tourist destination for those who wish to take the Dragon Trail”.

Project spokesman Mike Marshall said: “We’ve started to receive designs, but we hope to get lots more, so this is your chance to show Taunton what you can do.”

HOW TO ENTER

THE competition is now open and entrants must live or work in Somerset.

Simply download an entry form from this website by clicking on this link: Taunton Deane Dragon Trail Entry Form Final1.pdf You will also be able to pick one up from the Gazette offices in St James’ Street.

Complete the personal details, and design your dragon on the outline provided on the form.

Return the form to the County Gazette either electronically or in paper form by the closing date of April 13 – see the form for address details.

By submitting a design, entrants accept the competition’s terms and conditions. Entries will only be accepted on the official entry form.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

JUDGES will meet to shortlist entries which will then be presented to dragon sponsors who will get to select their preferred design for their dragon. Winners will be notified if and when their design is selected for a dragon.

Artwork will then be transposed onto the dragons themselves by people selected by the trail organisers – although all entrants are invited to express an interest in helping with that process if they wish.

The dragons will then be lacquered to make them weather resistant before being positioned around the Deane as part of the trail.

As reported, the trail aims to raise money for good causes in Taunton Deane.

Once the trail has been completed, the dragons will go on display between September 29 and October 11 as part of the Quartz Arts Festival held annually at Queen’s College in Taunton. They will then be auctioned in the school’s Queen’s Hall on October 12 to raise money for community projects in the area.