QUARRYMEN working in Lymm in the 1840s made a remarkable discovery that played an important part in developing scientists’ understanding of dinosaurs of the Triassic period.
Visitors to the village will have seen part of what they discovered, described as the “Dinosaur’s Footprint”, at Lymm’s lower dam. Its scientific name is actually “Chirotherium” and it preceded what we commonly think of today as the dinosaur age by possibly as much as one hundred million years.
Now a new exhibit at Lymm Heritage Centre tells the fascinating story of the “hand beast” as it is commonly called and, most exciting of all, includes a life size model of what experts think the creature might have looked like. The
beast gets its name from the unusual splayed four fingers and thumb style footprint. Come and see for yourself. As well as the chance to have your photo taken with “Kerry the Chirotherium” there will be other prehistoric activities for kids.
The model made by local artist Colin Grimes will be the centrepiece of the exhibit but the story of the hand beast also acts as the launch for another new initiative- the Lymm Gorge Geology Trail.
Lymm heritage Centre Chairman Alan Williams said: “Many of us have will have seen and pondered the sandstone outcrops all over the village especially at the Cross and the dam. But there is much more to discover too and this trail, which takes in Slitten Gorge, the village, the Dingle and the Dam sets out explain and demystify the fascinating geological features that are such an important part of Lymm’s unique identity.”
The exhibit and the trail both open on January 12 at Lymm Heritage Centre. With activities for youngsters too it’s yet another reason to keep coming back to the Centre to learn more about Lymm’s story.
