Our neighbour’s 10ft-high dinosaur standing on ‘eyesore’ shipping container makes our kids CRY – they’re scared to death
NEIGHBOURS have expressed fury after one resident installed a 10ft dinosaur in his front garden.
Locals claim the “eyesore” prehistoric sculpture has left kids “in tears” and has “cast a shadow” over their street.
Residents are rallying to demand that the council topple the T-Rex model which was put up by Ben Maddocks, 50, outside his gaff in Knowle West, Bristol.
“Why on earth can’t he plant a bed of daffs (daffodils) in his front garden, like anyone else would?” one neighbour asked.
“Even a few garden gnomes would look better.
“I mean, let’s be honest, it’s not really appropriate for a garden in Bristol.”
A second local claimed the creature has terrified children walking past Ben’s home and believes it should be taken down.
They said: “The dinosaur is bad enough, but the massive, bright blue shipping container it is standing on, which more than doubles its height, is an absolute eyesore.
“It casts a shadow over the street. I’ve seen little kids walk by in tears because they’ve been scared by it. Its teeth alone are almost a foot long.
“The council should make him move the container and the dinosaur. If it was a fence, it would be two metres max, or he’d be forced to remove it.”
However, others applauded the “marvellous” sculpture.
Lidl supermarket manager Lee said: “I love it. It’s a bit of fun and it’s a bit more interesting to look at than a busted sofa or a rotting old car.
“Ben is a very creative guy and I think he’s city the spot with this.
“When my nephew and niece came to stay the other weekend, I couldn’t keep them away from it.
“They thought it was marvellous and couldn’t wait to tell their friends about it.
“It’s not hurting anyone by being there, so I hope it stays.”
Another neighbour, Luke, 34, said the T-Rex is rapidly becoming a local attraction.
He said: “People come from all over the city to see it and take a selfie beneath it. Sometimes the street is crammed with cars as a result.
“But I’m totally in favour. I think it’s great to walk out my front door and be greeted by a grinning T-Rex.
“How many people get to do that every day?
“Ben’s a great guy. He built for his son. He’s just being a good dad and I applaud him for that.”
Ben nabbed the T-Rex metalwork from a garden centre for his son Noah, six, who is “into dinosaurs big time”.
“When we saw it up for sale, we thought we would buy that for Noah,” Ben revealed.
“Because of Noah being autistic and into dinosaurs, he’s got boxes, boxes and boxes of dinos.”
The family have owned the eye-catching model for three years, but father-of-eight recently decided he wanted to put it on the roof of his house.
People come from all over the city to see it and take a selfie beneath it. Sometimes the street is crammed with cars as a result
Luke, 34
He continued: “Ultimately, we wanted to put it on the roof of the house – but it weighs so much, about a quarter of a tonne – so we were worried it might come through the ceiling!
“So I bought myself a shipping container, which is my garage, and thought I’d put it there for my son Noah, given his passion for dinos, but also to give children something to smile about.
“I didn’t expect it to do what it’s done – but don’t get me wrong it does stand out of course!
“Noah didn’t know I had put it up as he was at school – so when he came home around the corner, he was like ‘Oh my god, my dino is on the roof!’
“He believes it climbed up there himself.
“It’s amazing – the amount of children who stop to look and smile, cars that stop to take pictures.
“It’s lovely that it is bringing a sense of smile and positivity to the community.
“Rather than having lots of negativity, it is something that is making people happy.
“There’s not a lot to smile about lately, so it’s making kids’ days.”
The Sun Online has reached out to Bristol City Council for comment.