News

Shanklin Chine News Release March 2009

Shanklin Chine re-opens Thursday April 2nd with their new Exhibition - Aviation and the Island - to be officially launched by Christopher Bland on Tuesday, April 21.

This Exhibition tells the exciting story of the Island's long association with flying and aircraft construction. It features the ISLANDER, famous for its ruggedness, simplicity, its short take-off and landing ability. It is still sold worldwide some forty years after its introduction. Its designers, John Britten and Desmond Norman, also pioneered crop spraying by air and were involved in the development of the Hovercraft. Bembridge Harbour, as a World War 1 Seaplane base, is also shown, together with planes developed on the Island by Saunders Roe.

New for 2009 will be the Learning Zone designed to encourage children to find out more about the Chine, its conservation, its amazing history, such as the PLUTO (Pipe Line Under The Ocean) - our book now in its fourth reprint - and of course, its varied plant life and wildlife. All this will be in the form of story boards with a live camera showing the squirrel feeding station - a source of endless fascination. The covered observation post is located next to the Aviary, housing rescue birds like Cockatiels, Meyer's Parrots and the beautiful Chinese Golden Pheasants. It will be an ideal place for families and school groups - the zone can take up to 10 children. This new attraction will be operational by the middle of April.

In addition, we have had a massive repair to our 20 year old Conservatory in the Heritage Centre. It has turned out a beautiful building, blending superbly into its surroundings. We are very grateful to all those who took part in its construction and refurbishment of the main building. We look forward to welcoming our visitors.