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Giant gets makeover
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by LotusFlower | October 21, 2008 at 10:10 am
544 views | 29 Recommendations | 22 comments
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The Cerne Abbas Giant was looking a little less in shape than he should until volunteers gave him a makeover that means he can be seen standing proud for miles around again.
Folklore says that if couples sit on his manhood they will have a child and many childless couples do this particularly on equinox and solstice days.
Crews of volunteers arrived from cities as far-flung as Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester. Over a ten-day period this month, teams of 20 to 30 volunteers dug up 18 tons of old chalk and replaced it with a similar amount of new chalk, tamping it down into the 3-inch-deep ruts.
"It's hard work, but it's not often you get to work on an icon," says Chris Irish, a chalk-grass-and-sweat-stained computer programmer who was part of a 16-member group of volunteers that had driven 250 miles south from Leeds to spend two days helping to reinvigorate the giant.
Though clearly well-cared for, the giant has certainly suffered his share of ignominies. Two years ago, producers of The Simpsons Movie got permission from the owner of an adjacent field to paint a huge, underpants-clad Homer offering the giant a doughnut. That same year, Fathers for Justice, a stunt-driven fathers'-rights group, painted the giant's penis purple. A few years earlier, students from a local university painted a naked giantess on the grass next to him. The giant has also been featured in ads for products ranging from bicycles to condoms.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (22)
at 10:25 on October 21st, 2008
LotusFlower, I guess that's one way to spend your 10 day holiday!
at 10:32 on October 21st, 2008
Yes - many people do spend their holidays doing stuff like this - glad they do - but I'm more like the ones who go to sit on him - though I'd be carefull where - as we don't want any more babies...!
at 11:14 on October 21st, 2008
LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 12:45 on October 21st, 2008
TY Barbara - the Giant is really big - can't get a real handle on the scale unless you see a person standing on it.
at 11:26 on October 21st, 2008
LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff. And it's potent stuff too :-)
at 12:25 on October 21st, 2008
you bet
at 17:02 on October 21st, 2008
LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 23:14 on October 21st, 2008
at 23:21 on October 21st, 2008
I went by the giant yesterday and he is looking fantastic now!
at 01:02 on October 22nd, 2008
This picture of the giant was taken around the first week of September this year. I was a bit disappointed when I saw it because you could hardly see the shape of the giant anymore. It obviously needed a make-over! I would love to see it again now that it has been made over.
deancs has contributed a photo to this story.
at 03:15 on October 22nd, 2008
Prior to his makeover, the Giant had a visitor from the USA in the form of Homer Simpson! Much controversy surrounded the painted Mr Simpson, with many claiming it devalued the Giant, and was an insult. The publicity stunt, intended to promote the Simpsons Movie drew vast numbers of visitors, and for the three weeks he remained there was the topic of much debate.
MetalOllie has contributed a photo to this story.
at 04:24 on October 22nd, 2008
LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff. Hey, he's getting older, but still maintains a vigorous schedule... he needs a bit of assistance now and then.
at 04:31 on October 22nd, 2008
Hey - sounds like me!
at 05:51 on October 22nd, 2008
Photo of Cerne Giant taken while walking the Greater Ridgeway from Portland in Dorset to Hunstanton in Norfolk in May, 2008. Link to my travelblogue of the journey.
Guy_Woodward has contributed a photo to this story.
at 07:47 on October 22nd, 2008
I spent this particular day out with my friends, Joan and David Caile. David was a great tour guide and showed me this, as well as Corfe Castle. I was born in Norwich and now live in the United States. I'd never had the opportunity to see this, and was astounded by the size. I'd seen pictures in the past, but until you're actually there, you can't imagine.
Annie Cummings has contributed a photo to this story.
at 08:06 on October 22nd, 2008
Went with my husband John to Cerne Abbas, quite breathtaking view of the Giant. Many people were there and there was a quiet hush as people spotted and then smiled at the hillside above.
chris20078 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 10:09 on October 22nd, 2008
I've got a photo of the Giant standing proud next to Homer Simpson, not quite sure where he's aiming that donut, but Homer had got bored and gone home last time we visited...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sciencebase/
at 10:31 on October 22nd, 2008
jarah has contributed a photo to this story.
at 12:13 on October 22nd, 2008
For as long as I could remember I have wanted to see the Giant and on this beautiful autumnal afternoon in 2006 my wish came true and I was far from disappointed !!
helenl2000_uk has contributed a photo to this story.
at 14:56 on October 22nd, 2008
I heard about the Homer Simpson Giant and the controversy. I thought it would be good to get a couple of photos for posterity. This one shows just how much the renovation was needed.
plymouthstudent has contributed a photo to this story.
at 09:40 on October 27th, 2008
On first meeting my in-laws, I took them on a road trip from southampton to Land's End. The first stop was this one... to make clear my intentions towards their daughter....
They smiled...just.
A_wasp has contributed a photo to this story.
at 14:33 on October 31st, 2008
Mmm... Donuts...
The Douros has contributed a photo to this story.