Digger dream comes true for Tywyn boy thanks to Jones Bros10th Aug 2010

A SCHOOLBOY who was so enthralled by a pioneering coastal defence scheme that he built his own digger in homage enjoyed a surprise ride on the real thing.

Mikey Short, of Pen Morfa, Tywyn, has been fascinated with Jones Bros’ £6.4m Tywyn Coastal Defence Scheme since visiting the promenade to watch huge rocks being delivered by sea and transported to shore using specialist heavy-lifting gear.

Inspired by what he saw, the eight-year-old Ysgol Penybryn pupil designed and built a model digger using cardboard and other household materials – even painting a Jones Bros logo on the side.

Jones Bros workers were bowled over by Mikey’s design skills and invited him on site to take a look around and sample a life-size digger.

Mikey’s mum Mandy said: “He had a fantastic time and was absolutely thrilled to bits. He didn’t know he was going on a digger so he was absolutely over the moon with that.

“He got to ask lots of questions and have a good look around. He loved every second of it.”

She added that Mikey was still wearing his hard hat and high-vis jacket several hours after the visit. “He’ll probably end up wearing them for bed!” she joked.

Jones Bros project engineer Dafydd Elis said: “It’s flattering to know we’ve inspired someone to make a model of one of our machines. Inviting Mikey to have a look around was the least we could do and we’re really glad he enjoyed himself.”

Mikey’s digger model is the latest show of thanks for Jones Bros from the people of Tywyn. Earlier in the summer around 300 visitors and residents, led by pensioner Tommy Payne, signed a ‘declaration of thanks.’

Mr Payne said all the signatories were impressed by the professionalism and technical expertise of the Jones Bros team tasked with strengthening the mid-Wales town’s sea defences to minimise the risk of flooding.