Giant floating moon to light up disused docks

A man stands on the edge of the docks in Bridgwater while behind him the Luke Jerram artwork Fallen Moon can be seen floating on the water — Image caption,

Jeremy James from Bridgwater Town Council was there to see the moon installed

Clara Bullock

BBC News, Somerset

Disused docks will be illuminated by a giant replica of the moon ahead of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme.

Artist Luke Jerram has chosen Bridgwater to debut his latest touring installation, Fallen Moon, which will be launched on the evening of October 14.

Based on data from NASA, the internally-lit sculpture has a diameter of 10m and floats on the water. Its creator says the spectacle at night could be “extraordinary”.

The Bridgwater Town Deal programme hopes the attraction will increase footfall in the lead-up to its carnival on 2 November.

The docks have not been used since December 2021, when the last lease held by the Canal and River Trust expired, but are set to see £5.2m worth of improvements thanks to government funding.

Fallen Moon is 350,000 times smaller than the real thing and will be accompanied by a soundtrack from BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.

Image caption,

The moon will be illuminated on Monday evening

“People might have seen my slightly smaller version of the moon going into cathedrals but this is the first time we’ve presented it on the water,” said Mr Jerram.

“In the context of Bridgwater docks, the moon plays a significant role in the tidal variation and it should be a bit of awe and wonder in people’s lives.

“It has been a great privilege to put it together and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it looks in the evening because that moonlight will look extraordinary reflected in the docks. I really hope the public enjoy it.”

Image source, Somerset Council

Image caption,

More than £5m is set to be spent at Bridgwater Docks

The artwork will be unveiled with the help of live music from local band Tongues of Fire.

It will be illuminated on the water between 17:30 and 20:30 every evening from 15 October until 3 November, with the schedule across the moon’s three-week stay including a night market, planetarium shows for families and a special carnival event.

Mr Jerram, who lives in Bristol, said he hopes Fallen Moon can help the kick-start the regeneration of Bridgwater Docks.

“I understand quite a lot of money is being spent. Here in Bristol, the docks are a huge part of life and it draws in a lot of tourism,” he said.

“It seems the docks in Bridgwater are going to be restored and it should help provide all sorts of work and opportunities and a cultural asset for the town to enjoy.”