CREATIVE people in Somerset are being invited to enter a competition where winners will see their artwork used to decorate the full-scale models in the Taunton Deane Dragon Trail.

As revealed by the County Gazette two weeks ago, a group of volunteers is putting together a dragon trail centring on Taunton and including Wellington and Wiveliscombe.

Around 30 models of about five feet in height will be located in the towns – and some surrounding villages – in a bid to emulate the success of trails like Gromit Unleashed in Bristol and bring business-boosting footfall, as well some good old fashioned family fun, to the area.

As with other successful trails, members of the public of any age are being invited to submit artwork as part of a competition to create and select the designs that 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.

Project spokesman Mike Marshall said: “We’re not offering big prizes – this is all about the honour, prestige and the chance to see your work admired by thousands of people. It’s a project that will benefit the community so we’re really hoping the community will get involved.

“We know Taunton Deane and the rest of Somerset is full of creative people and the only limits are those set by your imagination.

“We’re looking for designs that will capture people’s imagination as they reflect the past, present and future of Taunton Deane and its people.

“Designs might make people smile, pause to think or just catch the eye – we can’t wait to see what people come up with – but please make sure you read all the terms and conditions of the competition carefully.

“We’re hoping schools, colleges, art groups and anyone with some imagination and inspiration will get involved.”

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.