A summer of engineering has come to a close after more than 27,000 visitors were introduced to the wonders of bridge building.
The Rochester Bridge Trust’s All About Bridges activities ran from 1-29th August inside Rochester Cathedral, and provided a selection of family engineering challenges, free of charge.
Tim Cathcart, Chief Estates Officer at the Trust, said: “The response from the public has been overwhelmingly positive and we’ve been very pleased to see the excellent level of engagement and participation by visitors of all ages.”
Activities included a selection of hands-on bridge building challenges that inspired participants to think about engineering principles through play. These were set within the Nave of the Cathedral, surrounding a world record breaking model bridge. Outside in the Cathedral Garth, the popular bridges adventure golf also made a comeback.
Overall, visitors to the Cathedral doubled for the month of August, and attendance at all activities was greater than when the adventure golf last appeared there, in 2019.
Feedback forms were also very positive, with a range of comments thanking the Trust for enabling participants to try new things free of charge; as well as commenting on the friendly, helpful staff.
Caroline Chisholm, Education Manager at the Trust, added: “The team really enjoyed introducing children and adults to a range of engineering challenges, and we’re pleased to say visitors took their time to engage and learn, with many staying for an hour or more to ensure they made the most of everything we had to offer.
“Feedback forms showed almost all our visitors felt they had learned something about bridges and engineering, and from what we’ve seen of the way the children applied themselves, we are certain we’ve inspired many engineers of tomorrow.”
Feedback forms were also entered into a prize draw, with the winners to be announced soon.
The world record breaking bridge was constructed by BRICKLIVE, having been created for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). All accompanying activities were provided by the Rochester Bridge Trust, and all elements have been or will be used many times. Where possible, display items and equipment were made from recycled or recyclable materials, with a focus on carbon-reduction at the heart of all decision-making. All of the carbon generated by this project will be offset with the planting of trees by the Trust.
All About Bridges proved to be a very popular event, find out more here.
World record breaking bridge Copyright © Brick Live Group Limited. All rights reserved. Brick Live Group Limited is an independent producer of BRICKLIVE and is not associated with The LEGO Group. LEGO® is a trademark of LEGO Juris A/S.