In a twist in the tale of the Dorset Banksy, the artist who adapts road signs has had his own artwork tampered with.

This sign on the outskirts of Fifehead Magdalen recently lost its velociraptor, one of several features that ‘Banksy’ had added to signs along the A30. But the beautifully drawn silhouette has not slipped its leash – it’s been scraped off, a new development in an 18-month mystery.

In the six months to February last year, seven road signs on or close to the A30 between Shaftesbury and Sherborne were adapted by the elusive artist. They include a cowboy added to a cattle sign at East Stour, a ballerina on a humpback bridge sign at Henstridge and two identical signs in Fifehead – the other one sports a top hat and carries a rabbit in a hat.

Since covid-19, the mystery artist has gone to ground with no more adaptations, although his signs have remained intact. Until now. The velociraptor’s involuntary disappearance was broadcast on Facebook last week by Alan Newport of Marnhull.

“Oh my word. Where has the Fifehead dinosaur gone? Presumably walkabout …anybody seen him?”
His concern for the disappearing dinosaur then sparked a thread, not wholly of deep concern.

Roger Grix, Fifehead: I noticed it had disappeared a couple of days ago. At first I thought it might be some over-zealous jobsworth but the other artwork seems to be intact. Hopefully the artist will replace it.

John Witcomb, Fifehead: Please let us have our terrible lizard back. Seems we have a dinosaur kidnapper in our district. Or perhaps he’s gone to find a mate.

Fil Baker, Marnhull: Perhapshesaurus coming, and ran away.

Dee J, Donhead St. Mary: Perhaps Banksy has been in town…………and gone.

Alan Newport, Marnhull: Dee…Me thinks you aren’t taking this awful situation seriously…

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.