by Alan Quick

CREDITON filmmaker Dom Lee (25), with the help of hundreds of volunteers, achieved his ambition to build the UK’s largest cardboard box fort in Newcombes Meadow in Crediton on Saturday, August 6.

The initial target of a 3,000 box cardboard fort was surpassed and in total 3,117 boxes were used.

The box fort was built as part of a short film and community project.

Dom told the “Courier”: “More than 250 people came along during the build and it was completed by 4.30pm.

“The children really enjoyed painting the boxes but we did have some issues with strong gusts of wind blowing sections of the walls down about four times.

“The filming went well and we will still be filming locally until October.

“I would like to thank the West Devon Emergency Group who provided marshals and marquees as well as Divine Ices, Crediton Coffee Company and Hospiscare, who came along to help and also ran a stall.”

Dom said previously that the plot involves 10-year-old, James, played by Luke Morley, who enjoys creating cardboard models with his mum, played by Christina Hardy, making things such as cars and rocketships.

Dom added: “James’ mum has designs for their most ambitious project yet, a cardboard box fort made from thousands of boxes. When she falls ill it is left to James, dad (played by Craig Wilkinson) and the local community to organise and construct the fort.”

Dom obtained permission from Mid Devon District Council to build the box fort in Newcombes Meadow park, and he intends to release the 15-minute film in 2017.

During the day of the build, donations were accepted for Hospiscare.

Dom says he intends to organise a Crediton premiere of the film.

He thanked all those who have helped in any way, those who helped on the box build day, those who have put up posters, those businesses who gave boxes, Crediton Town Council for hi-viz jackets and Ashton’s Coffee Lounge for orange juice for helpers.