Jubilee: Remembering Weymouth's sandcastle fit for a Queen
Sand sculptors recount the Queen's visit to Weymouth in 2009
Last updated 6th Jun 2022
The sculptors behind Weymouth's Sandworld are recounting the Queen's visit to the town in 2009.
Mark Anderson and David Hicks were tasked with creating a replica of one of Her Majesty's residences in the sand. They chose Windsor Castle, although it was suggested at the time they should have picked Sandringham.
Thousands flocked to the Seafront for the Queen's visit to the home of the UK's Olympic Sailing events.
Mark Anderson is one of the owners of Sandworld. He said:
"It was incredible actually, there was throngs of people all over the seafront and on the beach itself there was the Punch and Judy man, and the donkeys and a few other things.
"She was quite impressed and a little bit surprised, I think. I don't think she was expecting to see her home in sand."
Attractions from all over the town, including some of our incredible sand sculptors were presented.
But Prince Phillip almost leaked national security information, had the Secret Service not stepped in.
David Hicks said:
"He recognised the window and he said 'that window there, that's where I have my morning cup of tea."
Mark added:
"He was then pointing to the bedrooms and saying 'Oh that's Her Majesty's bedroom there' and then apparently the Secret Service who were behind him were getting a bit worried because he was pointing out things he shouldn't have been pointing out."
The replica of Windsor Castle was built in three days out of 50 tonnes of sand.
Mark added:
"The Queen was asking me questions about how I started and about my grandfather Fred Darrington, the original sand sculptor on Weymouth Beach.
"It was a bit of the blur but I do remember it was a proud moment for us and one of the things I did recognise was that the Queen is a remarkable woman.
"The fact is she goes from community to community and people absolutely adore her."
This year Sandworld is honouring the Queen's Platinum Jubilee with a replica of a 50p coin. It was created by David in 3 weeks and features the Queen on horseback from the 1977 Silver Jubilee.
David said:
"I think it would be fantastic if the Queen got to see the latest sculpture we've done here. The thought of her looking at it and seeing it was done for her, that would be incredible."