Crowds flock to Bridgwater’s 'Fallen Moon' in first week

The ‘Fallen Moon’ is the brainchild of artist Luke Jerram, who is known for giant replicas of planetary-mass objects. Created using NASA data, the ‘Fallen Moon’, which is situated in the disused Bridgwater Docks, is a 10-metre diameter replica of the Moon.

Reflecting on the installation’s first week, Jeremy James, Bridgwater Town Deal Outreach and Events Manager, said: “We had over one thousand people here for the opening night on Monday. Even on Tuesday, there was a crowd of over 500 people. And on Thursday, we had the Night Market too.”

“By this weekend, I think we can expect that around 5,000 people will have visited the ‘Fallen Moon’ in its first week. Crowds flock to the installation, and it’s an excellent way to increase footfall in the town. There’s also more events planned alongside the installation over the next few weeks.”

On Sunday, October 20, the ‘Fallen Moon’ will host a ticketed families programme, with Planetarium Shows at Bridgwater Town Hall and Bridgwater Docks. On Friday, November 1 and 2, there will be the illuminated ‘Carnival Moon’ to coincide with the town’s much-anticipated annual event.

Nicky and Harry Yoxall, who visited earlier in the week and have seen Jerram’s other artwork, Gaia, described the ‘Fallen Moon’ as a “surreal” and “impressive” art installation.

(Image: Seth Dellow)

The idea for the ‘Fallen Moon’ in Bridgwater was under discussion with the artist and the Town Council in July earlier this year. Funds allocated from the Bridgwater Town Deal under the ‘Animating the Town Centre’ project enabled the installation to come to fruition. It will run until Sunday, November 3.

Jeremy added: “The whole point of the project is to stimulate interest from the community. Money can change the economic framework of the town, with the shops improved. But community engagement events like these make people realise that the town and their residents do matter. It has the power to change perceptions.”