Four shipping containers packed with life-size dinosaurs and giant insects made their way past border control to Bethlehem. The cargo, including a one metre long ladybird and three metre high T-Rex, was unloaded in preparation for the grand opening on March 14th.
“It will add a new attraction for Bethlehem’s residents, the two million annual visitors and will generate much needed income for the city” said Peter Downey.
The two storey exhibition features 6,500 sq ft of dinosaur and insect displays, including giant scorpions, snails and crickets and life-size dinosaur exhibits. The unique collection, set in the vast limestone halls of the Bethlehem Convention Palace, built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC as a water supply for Jerusalem and Herod’s Palace, will create a major new attraction and source of income for the world-famous city
The charity was founded in 2012 by Peter Downey and continues to be endorsed by Patron and NE Somerset Council Cabinet Member Martin Veal, and Councillor Paul Crossley. The Bethlehem-Bath Links charity was established to create cultural, business, educational and sporting links between the World Heritage sites of Bethlehem and Bath.
The councillors are travelling to Bethlehem in the West Bank at their own expense and will meet the Mayors of Bethlehem, the Ministers of Education, Tourism, Agriculture and Economic Affairs.
The group plans to coordinate with local business leaders to officially hand over the exhibitions and discuss further business, tourism and World Heritage prospects that the two cities may soon share. Over two million people have seen the exhibition on its worldwide tour and the items have been generously donated to Bethlehem by Edith and Henry Lowe, owners of the Bath-based Tourwest exhibition company.
Henry Lowe said “I’m delighted to be in a position to do something positive to help cement the bond between Bath and Bethlehem – albeit in a somewhat unorthodox way! We’ve always tried to combine an educational purpose with playful interpretation to inspire and motivate children wherever we’ve worked. We hope that our exhibitions will be enjoyed by the people of Bethlehem and that they’ll form the focus for efforts to develop a new regional museum there”.
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Peter Downey, Edith Lowe, Cllr Martin Veal (with life-size Compsognathus) Henry Lowe, Cllr Paul Crossley at the Guildhall in Bath[/caption]
Bethlehem-Bath Links is creating a greater understanding between the two regions, establishing networks of friendship, professional expertise and trade that contribute to raising awareness and bringing reconciliation, peace and justice to a deeply troubled part of the Middle East.
100 years on from the Balfour Declaration, which led to the creation of Israel and the displacement of millions of Palestinians, it is important for Palestinians to know that there are many who care about their future.
Suha Aadallah, Head of Foreign Trade Policy at the Palestinian Ministry of Economics, said “We are really so proud to have such supportive friends as Bethlehem-Bath Links and appreciate this incredibly generous donation.”
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Bethlehem-Bath Links founder Peter Downey & Suha Aadallah, Head of Foreign Trade Policy at the Palestinian Ministry of Economics[/caption]
The charity is asking individuals and businesses to make a donation to help fund the initial running costs of the Natural History Museum, which will be operated by the Bethlehem Convention Centre. All donors will have their name or logo featured on a plaque at the museum, along with a certificate and photographs of the grand opening.
On March 14th, the first children's natural history museum will open with a spectacular show by the 2017 winner of Arab Idol, Yacoub Shaheen. It looks like it will be a great year for Bath and Bethlehem!
Make a donation - www.justgiving.com/b-bl
For more information visit - www.bethlehem-bath.com
