Falcons swap balls for bricks at Durham Cathedral
Simon Hammersley and Craig Willis swapped balls for bricks in the build up to tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership game against Sale, as they were given an exclusive tour of the new Open Treasure exhibition at Durham Cathedral
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A brand new exhibition that will display artifacts of historical, cultural, and religious significance; Open Treasure is scheduled to open on July 23rd with Fullback Hammersley and Fly Half Willis given a sneak peak by Head of Collections, Lisa Di Tommaso, and Property and Facilities Manager, Tom Billington.
Both players have strong links to the city, with the fullback having spent three years as a resident while studying economics at Durham University and the fly half having been a pupil at Durham School, and they were suitably impressed by what they saw.
Hammersley said: “When I came here for university, I learned how big the Cathedral is as part of the community. You go to things like Lumiere where you come through and see the light shows or when you come for your graduation. I felt how big a part it plays in just three years, so people from here will feel it every day.”
Following the tour, which saw the two players experience some of the new interactive elements of the exhibition, the pair also completed the next section of the LEGO model of the Cathedral; a fundraising project raising donations in support of Open Treasure.
Parts of the scale model, which when complete will measure nearly four metres in length and two metres in height, visited Kingston Park at the game versus London Wasps, where Falcons supporters joined the thousands of people who have bought bricks to complete the model and help fund the Cathedral’s new exhibition.
At the end of their visit, the players enjoyed some training with a difference in preparation for a return visit to the Cathedral later in the summer, where members of the Falcons squad will handle the delicate task of placing the top section of the main tower onto the LEGO model.
With 250,000 bricks already built and 50,000 still to go, Falcons fans have the opportunity to help complete the unique model that has attracted interest and donors from across the globe.
Supporters can donate by texting Lego16 £2 to 70070.
Tickets for Saturday’s game remain on sale, with advanced prices valid until 12 Noon on Saturday. To book match tickets, [click here][1], call 0871 2266060 or visit the stadium box office.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/default.aspx
