Dippy the diplodocus is on display at the local Herbert art gallery and it seemed a shame not to go take a look at this popular exhibit.

Originally at the Natural History Museum in London it’s actually a plaster-of-paris cast recreated from multiple fossils. Despite that it’s still an impressive exhibit that really gives an appreciation of just how massive these creatures would have been. Despite being a herbivore the chance of being stomped on, brushed aside or hit by a swinging whip-tail means caution would be advised in approaching.

I’d have liked more effort to put the diploducus into some context, some contemporaneous fossils maybe. I know fossils are rare and valuable but surely given the collection at Leicester’s Museum and Art Gallery more could be found and displayed from storage?

The rest of the Herbert itself is a bit of a sad affair and feels rather unenthusiastic and empty. Perhaps not unexpected as the council seeks to avoid bankruptcy.