Noah’s Ark sailing away for a well-deserved refit with community project

The Noah’s Ark on the roundabout outside Chester Zoo will now be getting a makeover and new life, courtesy of a community project which will span the whole borough.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has been in discussions with Chester Zoo to remove the ark, which has been on the roundabout for many years where the entry road joins the A41, as it was looking very tired and worn.

The ark was originally part of a Council submission at the Tatton Park Flower Show back in 2009 and was then placed outside the zoo for passers-by to enjoy.

Now the ark has been lifted from its location and will be transported to Changing Lives Together, a community-focused social enterprise and charity which supports people and organisations across the county. 

The ark will provide an exciting project for their Community Shed group in Winsford (formerly known as Men in Sheds) who work on woodworking, woodturning and upcycling projects, as they share skills, socialise and make new friends.

The Council’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration, Councillor Richard Beacham said: “I am really grateful to Community Sheds for stepping up to the challenge of restoring the ark. I know many people were sad to hear that it is being removed from the roundabout, but now we can find a new home for it in Chester once it has been restored.”

Jo Garner, Head of Community Development at Changing Lives Together said: “We are thrilled to be involved in the Noah’s Ark project, it will be a fabulous project for the Community Shed group.

“We would love to get schools in the borough involved in designing the revamped ark, a project we’re calling ‘ArkWork’. We are looking for designs based on recycling, environment and conservation and the final design will draw on all the ideas we receive.”

If your school would like to get involved, please get in touch with Changing Lives Together by emailing:

ArkWork@changing-lives-together.org.uk.

Facilities & Development Director at Chester Zoo, Cathy Lunn, said: “It’s wonderful to hear that Changing Lives Together in Winsford will be bringing together local groups of all ages in the community to work on the restoration of the Ark. We will be working closely with the Council on creating a more fitting replacement on the roundabout that really highlights Chester Zoo’s role as a global science and conservation charity that is preventing extinction.”

For more information on the Ark project or joining the Community Shed (Winsford) please contact Changing Lives Together on:

01606 827120

Potential new locations for the revamped Ark are currently being looked into.

Pictured - The Ark being lifted from the roundabout this morning (Wednesday 20 July).