Giant sand sculpture unveiled at Lincoln Magna Carta festival launch

A 13 foot high sand sculpture depicting Magna Carta and contemporary issues around human rights was finally revealed to expectant crowds at Lincoln Castle on August 28.

The sand sculpture, created by internationally-renowned husband and wife team Remy and Paul Hoggard, was the main attraction on the opening day of Festival 800, a 10-day event held in Lincoln.

The sculpture took two weeks to complete, with the couple working every day to finish the project for the start of the festival.

Remy and Paul Hoggard, the creators of the giant sand sculpture. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Paul, originally from Beverley in Yorkshire, said: “Today we’re living in a time where people don’t have this freedom. I think it (Magna Carta) is more topical than it was even 800 years ago.

“We had our work cut out – 80 tonnes and 13 foot high – hard work for an old man like me but luckily I had my beautiful wife Remy to do the sculpting.”

The giant Magna Carta sand sculpture. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Dutch-born Remy added: “It was an honour to work here in such beautiful surroundings which are so seeped in history.”

Festival 800 features a host of celebrities, international artists and human rights activists demonstrating how Magna Carta’s focus on liberty, justice and freedom of speech have shaped today’s society.

Festival 800 director, David Lambert. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

David Lambert, festival director, said: “We’ve been working on Festival 800 for 18 months now. The sand sculpture is a statement of intent. It’s large and ambitious and Festival 800 is large and ambitious.

“There’s a lot of talent in the city and the county and I think that mixture of local, regional, national and international artists coming to Lincoln is what we want.”

Councillor Colin Davie signing a Magna Carta. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Member for Economic Development at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This shows the ambition of Lincolnshire and the ambition of this city.

“This weekend you can’t get a hotel in Lincoln and the surrounding areas. That means that people are coming to the city, they’re spending money in the shops, the restaurants and the bars, and they’re supporting the local economy.”

A full programme for Festival 800 can be found here.