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Dinosaurs create a roaring trade I
F YOUR SUMMER BREAK TOOK
you near a replica dinosaur, there’s a good chance it came from Welsh firm Lifesize Models. The firm, based in Cwm, has been going for more than 25 years, having started as a sideline to a family business run by David Powell. “We had a store selling all sorts of unusual stuff,” recalls sales manager Lucy Powell, David’s daughter. “On a visit overseas, by chance we bumped into a Dutch chap producing fibreglass and resin products, and from firstvoice.fsb.org.uk
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that meeting we developed all sorts of products, from 1ft busts to 40ft dinosaurs.” The business doesn’t just produce dinosaurs, but the popularity of the Jurassic Park films in the 1990s meant these soon became best-sellers. “We have supplied dinosaurs to Dan-Yr-Ogof (the National Showcaves Centre for Wales), York Maze, Tim Burton, Glasgow Fort, Liverpool One and many other corporate clients and theme parks,” says Lucy. “Dan-Yr-Ogof are our most prolific dinosaur clients. They are our only client
in the UK to have our 40ft brachiosaurs, mammoths, camarasaurus and several other life-size dinosaurs on display.” In all, the firm sells more than 3,000 models, including wild and farmyard animals, Halloween figures and Christmas items. “We also sell to many private buyers who are looking for something special,” says Lucy. “Some regulars buy over several years – they may start with a cow then add other animals to create their own farm. Many buy for their gardens or patio areas.” october 2020-january 2021 | firstvoice | 51
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