Weymouth beach hosts Sandworld sandcastle competition

A packed beach over the bank holiday weekend saw a dozen teams of families and young children try their hand at creating some sand sculptures of their own. 

The event hosted by Sandworld was celebrating 100 years since Fred Darrington began creating his masterpieces on the town’s golden sands. 

Fred Darrington and grandson Mark Anderson with one of Fred’s sculptures on Weymouth Beach (Image: Supplied) For nearly 70 summers, Fred delighted visitors to Weymouth with his life-sized models.

On display, to name a few – were pyramids and sphinxes, depictions of the Last Supper, a group of monkeys cheating at poker and bowls of fruit on display.

The new Fred Dorrington sculpture at Weymouth beach (Image: Andy Jones) Jack Hayward was another legendary Weymouth sand sculptor between the 1930s and 1970s. He was known for his stunning architectural designs, particularly of ecclesiastical buildings.

Fred’s grandson, Mark Anderson, become his apprentice and started learning the skill of sand sculpting in the late 80s.

He launched Sandworld at Lodmoor in 2011 along with David Hicks and revealed a new sculpture of his grandfather ahead of the competition on Weymouth beach. 

Mark Anderson, Fred Darrington’s grandson and Sandworld co-founder (Image: John Gurd) He said: “It’s quite a thing for me and my family to have it recognised. I joined him in 1988 – where has it gone. 

“He would have loved it, he was a very quiet man but he absolutely loved this sort of thing and gave everything he could to make Weymouth a better place. 

Families gathered on Weymouth beach near Alexandra Gardens to take part in the competition (Image: Andy Jones) “I did a demonstration earlier on and showed people how to stack the sand and make it stick together and there are something fantastic towers and ammonite and a squid so me really cool things.”

Mayor of Weymouth Caroline Nickinson was on hand to judge the sandcastles and admitted it was a difficult job with so many fantastic creations on display. 

She said: “They are all so good and there are so many amazing sculptures it will be a tough job to judge.”

Poppy, Henry and Becky from Wiltshire with their ship sand sculpture (Image: Andy Jones) Becky, Poppy and Henry were on holiday from Wiltshire and created a large ship which they called the Weymouth 10. 

Lisa, Matt, Lucy and Oliver were a family on holiday from London and were having a great time in Weymouth as well as enjoying the competition.

Lisa said: “I love it (Weymouth). It’s our first tie here and it’s really nice – it’s gorgeous.”

Lisa, Oliver, Lucy and Matt from London with their Gaudi inspired sculpture (Image: Andy Jones) Their sculpture – inspired by Gaudi – was called ‘I’m Still Sanding’ and was a still upright despite being told it would not hold.

Lisa added: “We were told several hours ago it would fall over but it’s still here we have turned adversity into creation.”

Evie and Denis with their Portland Bill and turtle sculpture (Image: Andy Jones) Denis, who lives in Preston, was taking part in the competition with his granddaughter Evie. 

They had created the Portland Bill lighthouse alongside a turtle.

Denis said: “We saw it advertised and as I had the grandchildren down I thought I would bring them along. We started building a castle but it turned into Portland Bill.”

Paul Williams, Natalie Bewes, Steff Southcott, Jack Southcott, Lydia Bewes, Evie Southcott and Lyla Southcott with their Ammonite inspired sculpture (Image: Andy Jones) The Southcott family – on holiday from Devon –  created a wonderful ammonite replica having been inspired by the Jurassic Coast.

Harry Brett and Ted Short from Poole created a squid. (Image: Andy Jones) Whilst Dorset locals Harry Brett and Ted Short who had travelled down from Poole had created a squid sculpture. 

Ted said: “We went to Sandworld and I had made a cool snake and we thought we would come down. It has been really fun.”