Old fossils make way for new trophies (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Old fossils make way for new trophies

JURASSIC fossils are being taken off display in a Cirencester pub to make way for a collection the licensees consider even more precious.

Crystals and fossils, which date back nearly 300 million years, were loaned to the Plough Inn at Stratton by local expert Dr Neville Hollingworth.

But due to the success of the pub's women's darts and skittles teams, new licensees Kay and Terry Prescott are determined their trophies should now take pride of place.

However, the fossils won't be forgotten and will be given pride of place in the pub beer garden.

Kay said: "We've spent the summer renovating the pub garden, extending the patio areas and putting in a play area for children.

"The final touch will be these beautiful exhibits, which we will be displaying with special lights to illuminate them at night."

Dr Hollingworth earned the tag of 'Cirencester's own Indiana Jones' after making a series of dramatic discoveries in the Cotswold Water Park.

One of his most significant finds was a Jurassic squid with its ink sacs still in tact.

A lot of Dr Hollingworth's findings are sent to museums, while others are kept at his home.

And he frequently changes the displays at the Plough, which is his local pub.

He said: "Having found the fossils and crystals and sent the valuable specimens to the British Museum, I felt that more people would see these exhibits if we put them in a pub - after all, pubs are generally busier than museums."

James Arkell, managing director of Arkell's brewery, which owns the Plough, added: "Many pubs have historic memorabilia on display, but I don't know of any boasting such an unusual collection of fossils, as well as an array of sporting achievements which any pub would be proud of.

"Thanks to Dr Hollingworth and the Plough girls sports teams, I think this Arkell's pub is unique."