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Prime Minister backs Spitfire campaign
10:19am Wednesday 30th April 2008
By Peter Law »
PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has thrown his support behind the Daily Echo's campaign for a tribute to the Spitfire.
Mr Brown is so keen to see a towering memorial to the Second World War fighter plane take pride of place in Southampton that he will officially launch the international fundraising drive at 10 Downing Street in the summer.
The Daily Echo can today reveal he will host a reception for 60 official sponsors of the Spitfire Tribute Foundation at his London residence on June 5.
The high profile event is expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds and take the ongoing campaign to recognise the Spitfire - and the men and women who built and flew it - to the world stage.
Southampton Itchen MP John Denham - who approached his party leader for support - said the project was of national significance.
He said: "The Spitfire is symbolic of so many things, it represents the historical importance of Southampton and what is the best of Britain."
Backing plans for a 100ft Spitfire standing on its tail, Mr Denham said the project, dubbed Spitfire of the South, could be a defining icon.
"I think the Angel of the North is magnificent and while we must not just copy that, we could create something that has a similar sense of identity and pride that would be a landmark for the south of England."
Conservative councillor John Hannides, who has led the campaign, said the announcement was a massive boost to the foundation's ambitious plans.
"It is a project that now has the backing of the Prime Minister and will only go from strength to strength," he said.
"It's going to give us the opportunity to reach a national and international audience, which is vital for this to succeed."
Initial concept plans for the memorial have so far received a mixed reaction and Southampton City Council is holding talks with several designers about their vision for a memorial.
It is hoped the structure would stand over 100ft high and could cost between £1m and £2m with a visitor centre and observation area.
The council has already pledged £70,000 for a feasibility study, while funding for construction will be sought from government bodies, private business sponsorship and public subscription.
The campaign was launched after the Southampton Partnership, an unelected group of community leaders, rejected a funding bid to create a replica bronze Spitfire.
Your Say YourEcho
Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away says...
10:41am Wed 30 Apr 08
wills, soton says...
10:44am Wed 30 Apr 08
D. Bader, Heaven says...
10:45am Wed 30 Apr 08
Its been discussed before but what does £70,000 get apart from some rip off consultant to state the obvious ?
Ice Rink Lover, Fareham or Basingstoke says...
10:47am Wed 30 Apr 08
Jules, Southampton says...
11:13am Wed 30 Apr 08
Jules, Southampton says...
11:18am Wed 30 Apr 08
Mr E, Eastleigh says...
11:28am Wed 30 Apr 08
If the 'Spitfire of the South' is motorway art then put it near the site of Spitfire bridge in Winchester as you approach the area, not the middle of Southampton.
Biggles, says...
11:32am Wed 30 Apr 08
Paul, Southampton says...
11:42am Wed 30 Apr 08
It would also put the city on the mark with the thousands of cruise passengers who visit this city of ours.
Big Clem, pie in the sky says...
11:43am Wed 30 Apr 08
Bazil Fawlty, The EU says...
11:45am Wed 30 Apr 08
la la, southampton uk says...
11:51am Wed 30 Apr 08
StEmmosFire, Woolston says...
12:50pm Wed 30 Apr 08
julian le good, Hedge End says...
1:29pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Tony, Southampton says...
1:39pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Jules wrote:Do you read the Daill Mail by any chance? You put up your own riduclous assertion "not to offend monorities and then comment on it as though it were fact. That's Daily Heil style.
One more thing, the photo shows the Spitfire having see-through wings. We all know the original never had such a thing. It doesn\'t even show the RAF symbol either. Do the designers behind this think its a trendy way to celebrate our history or is it the idiotic council trying not to offend monorities. If they cannot do it properly then they shouldn\'t bother. R.J.Mitchell would be outraged by this. Remember our heroes properly Southampton City Council and stop messing about!!
The Spitfire should be commemorated. I'm not sure that this design is the best way to do it but I don't believe a final design has been settled on. As it is, this project has been headed by a Conservative councillor so perhaps he's the one to blame if you don't like the details.
But why so negative? We have local councillors of all parties working together with the Prime Minister. The design isn't fixed and yet you go piling in with your specious criticism. Get over yourself.
alex, soton says...
1:51pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Jules, Southampton says...
3:07pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Tony wrote:Believe what you want dear Tony boy, I'm entitled to my own opinions and if you don't like them then it's just too bad. I bet you read the Guardian or the Mirror, two papers that might suit your own brand of liberal political thinking. Since when have councillors from all parties ever worked with our PM? They are too busy squabbling amongst themselves with tit-for-tat banter. I stand by my opinions. If they were really that bothered to remember this then they would have done it a long long time ago. It doesn't take them long to decide on some of the modernist crap that they've erected in recent times. I only said that the RAF badge should be included as the Union flag for example isn't sometimes flown for the very reasons that I have given and those decisions come from local authorities. Perhaps you should get over it mate.
Jules wrote: One more thing, the photo shows the Spitfire having see-through wings. We all know the original never had such a thing. It doesn\'t even show the RAF symbol either. Do the designers behind this think its a trendy way to celebrate our history or is it the idiotic council trying not to offend monorities. If they cannot do it properly then they shouldn\'t bother. R.J.Mitchell would be outraged by this. Remember our heroes properly Southampton City Council and stop messing about!!Do you read the Daill Mail by any chance? You put up your own riduclous assertion "not to offend monorities and then comment on it as though it were fact. That's Daily Heil style. The Spitfire should be commemorated. I'm not sure that this design is the best way to do it but I don't believe a final design has been settled on. As it is, this project has been headed by a Conservative councillor so perhaps he's the one to blame if you don't like the details. But why so negative? We have local councillors of all parties working together with the Prime Minister. The design isn't fixed and yet you go piling in with your specious criticism. Get over yourself.
Jules, Southampton says...
3:23pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Tutt, says...
3:29pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Jules wrote:the final design hasn't been agreed yet, it is just a picture put in as an interpretation...cal
One more thing, the photo shows the Spitfire having see-through wings. We all know the original never had such a thing. It doesn't even show the RAF symbol either. Do the designers behind this think its a trendy way to celebrate our history or is it the idiotic council trying not to offend monorities. If they cannot do it properly then they shouldn't bother. R.J.Mitchell would be outraged by this. Remember our heroes properly Southampton City Council and stop messing about!!
m yourself down.
Southampton Football Club, Trying to hide ted bates statue mark one says...
3:39pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Jules, Southampton says...
3:48pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Tutt wrote:I'm calm, except I remember this being talked about six years ago! It's crap. The Spitfire made history nearly seventy years ago. Call me neagtive but when things don't get done, it's easy for people to get irate. You only have to read the letters in the Echo to see why.
Jules wrote: One more thing, the photo shows the Spitfire having see-through wings. We all know the original never had such a thing. It doesn't even show the RAF symbol either. Do the designers behind this think its a trendy way to celebrate our history or is it the idiotic council trying not to offend monorities. If they cannot do it properly then they shouldn't bother. R.J.Mitchell would be outraged by this. Remember our heroes properly Southampton City Council and stop messing about!!the final design hasn't been agreed yet, it is just a picture put in as an interpretation...cal m yourself down.
Creature Void of Form, says...
4:12pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Jules wrote:I agree, it is crap and it will probably never happen. It just isn't really needed.
Tutt wrote:I\'m calm, except I remember this being talked about six years ago! It\'s crap. The Spitfire made history nearly seventy years ago. Call me neagtive but when things don\'t get done, it\'s easy for people to get irate. You only have to read the letters in the Echo to see why.Jules wrote: One more thing, the photo shows the Spitfire having see-through wings. We all know the original never had such a thing. It doesn\'t even show the RAF symbol either. Do the designers behind this think its a trendy way to celebrate our history or is it the idiotic council trying not to offend monorities. If they cannot do it properly then they shouldn\'t bother. R.J.Mitchell would be outraged by this. Remember our heroes properly Southampton City Council and stop messing about!!the final design hasn\'t been agreed yet, it is just a picture put in as an interpretation...cal m yourself down.
The way to grow Southampton is to do it the old fashioned way: good shops, good nightlife, clean and tidy, investment from businesses so more jobs and a safe city centre.
Easy peasy
Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away says...
5:11pm Wed 30 Apr 08
Creature Void of Form wrote:and an ice rink or two
Jules wrote:I agree, it is crap and it will probably never happen. It just isn't really needed.
Tutt wrote:I\'m calm, except I remember this being talked about six years ago! It\'s crap. The Spitfire made history nearly seventy years ago. Call me neagtive but when things don\'t get done, it\'s easy for people to get irate. You only have to read the letters in the Echo to see why.Jules wrote: One more thing, the photo shows the Spitfire having see-through wings. We all know the original never had such a thing. It doesn\'t even show the RAF symbol either. Do the designers behind this think its a trendy way to celebrate our history or is it the idiotic council trying not to offend monorities. If they cannot do it properly then they shouldn\'t bother. R.J.Mitchell would be outraged by this. Remember our heroes properly Southampton City Council and stop messing about!!the final design hasn\'t been agreed yet, it is just a picture put in as an interpretation...cal m yourself down.
The way to grow Southampton is to do it the old fashioned way: good shops, good nightlife, clean and tidy, investment from businesses so more jobs and a safe city centre.
Easy peasy
Stan Dan Deliver, says...
7:02pm Wed 30 Apr 08
I also hope he persuades them to back a model that looks like its flying, not crashed !
Chris Chapman, says...
12:54am Thu 1 May 08
Paul wrote:Put this on Western Shore.... it would either get painted, or nicked, within a week..
Put this on Weston shore, maybe more people will then come to appreciate the access to the waterfront here, something sadly lacking (apart from Mayflower Park) in the rest of the city. It would also put the city on the mark with the thousands of cruise passengers who visit this city of ours.
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wills, soton says...
10:29am Wed 30 Apr 08