Send pictures to us
Send us your pictures and video by text, email or by uploading. Click here to find out how. »
|
|
|
|
Spitfire tribute plan approved
10:12am Saturday 15th November 2008
Comments (43)
See our GIVE US A SPITFIRE campaign
NEW York has the Statue of Liberty, Portsmouth has the Spinnaker Tower – now Southampton will at last have its own iconic waterfront landmark.
The Daily Echo can today reveal that an enormous tribute to the Spitfire will rise up at Town Quay.
Swooping in the sky, the distinctive shape that made the Second World War aircraft instantly recognisable will be visible from vantage points throughout the city and across Southampton Water at Hythe.
Towering 180ft over the waterfront skyline with a wingspan of 110ft – three times the size of the legendary fighter plane – the stainless steel structure is set to become one of Britain’s most famous landmarks.
Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns Town Quay, has backed the ambitious £1.5m plans drawn up by the Spitfire Tribute Foundation.
Port director Doug Morrison yesterday told the Daily Echo it was the perfect location.
“It would be the iconic building that Southampton needs and we need to recognise what RJ Mitchell did and the role the Spitfire played in the Second World War,” he said.
Conservative councillor John Hannides, the Spitfire Tribute Foundation chairman, approached ABP with the proposal after scouring the city for a suitable location.
The Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage said Town Quay would allow residents and tourists to see the Spitfire “in all its glory”.
“This is a momentous decision taken by ABP and I would like to particularly extend my thanks to Doug Morrison for championing this proposal,” Cllr Hannides said.
Campaigner and Solent Sky Museum curator Alan Jones said: “This is going to go all over the world. Whenever you pick up a brochure on Southampton this aeroplane is going to be on the front of it.”
It is the latest boost to the Daily Echo’s campaign for a tribute to the Spitfire and the men and women who built and flew it, after Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave his public backing in the summer.
Designed by renowned British sculptor Kenneth Potts, the wire-mesh styled Spitfire will be held aloft by three pylons. Standing 25ft taller than the Civic Centre clock tower, lights projected at night on to the sculpture will illuminate the Spitfire in its numerous battle liveries.
The artist said: “Two or three sites were proposed.
I looked all over the city, but my conclusion was the Town Quay was the most emotionally suitable spot.
It needs to be in the town and people need to be able to approach it.
“This will be Southampton’s equivalent of New York’s Statue of Liberty and it could be a catalyst to develop the waterfront.”
A second phase of the project could also see the construction of a pavilion that would tell the story of RJ Mitchell and the Spitfire.
A full feasibility will now be carried out, including the testing of a scale model in a wind tunnel and detailed research into the construction.
The foundation has so far raised £30,000 from sponsors and the city council has committed £70,000.
An international fundraising drive will be launched to raise the remaining estimated £1.5m so Southampton taxpayers’ will not be charged.
Your Say YourDaily Echo
Boris Remmington, Wellow says...
10:29am Sat 15 Nov 08
to those Ocean Liner Tourists..how about spending the money on cleaning up areas of the city.
OSPREYSAINT, Southampton says...
10:38am Sat 15 Nov 08
Plus a better Terminal facility for Red Funnel?
hulla baloo, southampton says...
10:47am Sat 15 Nov 08
Maybe, if ABP has backed plans to have it sited their, they ought to pay for it.
After all, it will only be seen by the majority of their customers.
This will allow the rest of Southampton to do their own, and place in a more suitable location.
southy, redbridge says...
10:51am Sat 15 Nov 08
UTS, says...
10:57am Sat 15 Nov 08
sotondaz, Southampton says...
10:59am Sat 15 Nov 08
thesaint, southampton says...
11:17am Sat 15 Nov 08
its a embarrassment on a prime site,how about something with imagination for a change like the spirit of the south,welcoming people to the city and with a view of the sea
D.a.v.e, Bitterne says...
11:21am Sat 15 Nov 08
UTS wrote:I agree, What is the point of another one?
Already one at Eastleigh so i see this as pointless.
How about moving the one at Eastleigh onto the roundabout by mayflower park and spend the money refurbishing the old pier?
King Mush, Woolston says...
11:30am Sat 15 Nov 08
southy, redbridge says...
12:10pm Sat 15 Nov 08
thesaint wrote:i agree the best thing i can think of is a suspension bridge across southampton water, some thing like the golden gates bridge in california.and maybe put a spitfire inbetween the anchor towers.
what rubbish how can they compare a cheap option of 3 poles with a spitfire stuck on top ,with the statue of liberty,angel of the north and Spinnaker Tower.
its a embarrassment on a prime site,how about something with imagination for a change like the spirit of the south,welcoming people to the city and with a view of the sea
beaudog, portswood says...
12:12pm Sat 15 Nov 08
..and sadly, I find the image of a plane built for war to be sinister, not celebratory. But maybe that's just me.....
Dr Alimantado, Babylon says...
12:34pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Need to have something more solid swirling up to act as the base of the plane...kind of like the shaft on the world cup?
johnm, Sholing says...
12:42pm Sat 15 Nov 08
OSPREYSAINT, Southampton says...
1:25pm Sat 15 Nov 08
The Spitfire was no where near as sinister as the Nazi's it helped to defeat! The celebration is about the peace it created plus the brilliance of British design and engineering, (which sadly is no longer with us to any great extent), especially Southamptons involvement. As a wow factor pretty small beer, but better than nothing considering the current financial situation.
Northamboy, Southampton says...
1:37pm Sat 15 Nov 08
hulla baloo, southampton says...
2:03pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Putting a cynical hat on, and considering the way our country is currently going, I wonder when the PC brigade will put a stop to it.
It seems we are not allowed to celebrate anything anymore.
Look at all the Germans we may offend.
And if I recall correctly, the 200 year celebration of the Battle of Trafalgar was dumbed down for fear of upsetting the French.
Bright Spark, Stubbington says...
2:15pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Bright Spark, Stubbington says...
2:19pm Sat 15 Nov 08
hulla baloo, southampton says...
2:29pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Bright Spark wrote:Maybe we bought it on the quiet and are trying to hide it.
... and I still want to know why the QE2 is in the background!
Lone Ranger, Southampton says...
2:36pm Sat 15 Nov 08
King Mush, Woolston says...
2:44pm Sat 15 Nov 08
johnm wrote:Why not? Suits the Skates.
Portsmouth's getting an ice rink
Boris Remmington, Wellow says...
3:08pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Blaming our hard working EU guests again
obelisker, Southampton says...
3:22pm Sat 15 Nov 08
UTS, says...
3:25pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Eve M, Southampton says...
3:50pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Dr Alimantado, Babylon says...
4:00pm Sat 15 Nov 08
OSPREYSAINT wrote:thanks but I didn't say anything about sinister
Dr A The Spitfire was no where near as sinister as the Nazi's it helped to defeat! The celebration is about the peace it created plus the brilliance of British design and engineering, (which sadly is no longer with us to any great extent), especially Southamptons involvement. As a wow factor pretty small beer, but better than nothing considering the current financial situation.
Sly Stallone, New York says...
5:52pm Sat 15 Nov 08
OSPREYSAINT, Southampton says...
7:23pm Sat 15 Nov 08
obelisker, Southampton says...
7:28pm Sat 15 Nov 08
Sly Stallone wrote:Yea, if they build a Spitfire to the scale of the Spruce Goose it might provide enough power for say a....torch....'Drawi
Huh! I think Brite Sparks idea from a long time back, that the spitfire should have a propellorator that is also a wind turbine is an innov inovativ innavas invasi ... a good idea.
ng Board' and 'back to' springs to mind.
Rob444, Southampton says...
9:34pm Sat 15 Nov 08
A wind turbine would be more beneficial and carry a message.
No doubt this is some dignitary's idea of achieving fame.
Vonnie, Southampton says...
12:25am Sun 16 Nov 08
Unlike the Spinnaker this monstrosity will never pay for itself or be of any benefit to the trade of Southampton.
As an advert for Southampton, hmmmm!
sotonbusdriver, Southampton says...
8:29am Sun 16 Nov 08
The money would be better spent on improving bus links, promoting the old walls, but more importantly getting rid of DRUGS DEALERS
SpinDr, Southampton says...
8:42am Sun 16 Nov 08
Also, does this form part of the Kilmartin waterfront strategy and consultation? I thought that the council had consultants examining how to develop the royal pier waterfront
beaudog, portswood says...
9:38am Sun 16 Nov 08
southy, redbridge says...
10:35am Sun 16 Nov 08
thesaint, southampton says...
1:55pm Sun 16 Nov 08
obelisker wrote:who would want to see that,take them to eastleigh roundabout.its a cheap option again.
Apart from the visiting ships who the hell else is going to see it stuck down Town Quay aside from fishermen and doggers (the two are not mutually exclusive). Surely Above Bar or Guildhall Square would be better for all to see?
Vonnie, Southampton says...
2:55pm Sun 16 Nov 08
beaudog wrote:What economic benefit? Most cruise passengers see nothing of, and spend nothing in, Southampton. The turnround times are very short and most of the organised trips from arriving ships are to the New Forest, to Romsey, and Winchester or Salisbury. Watch the coaches leave. Those places are where passengers spend their money.
I guess the sculpture puts the port on the map for the cruise trade (ABPs primary reason to be involved) - we should turn the City's attention to maximising that economic benefit of that trade (currently under developed) and not look to businesses to cdeliver our art/culture. That will never work!
Boarding passengers, in the main, come down on the day, straight to the ship, and equally spend no time or money in Southampton, other than maybe a quick cup of coffee or a meal. Those going home just want to get there as soon as possible.
I live in Southampton and am fed up with residents being second on the list for improvements of any sort.
If we want a proper tourist economy to help provide those improvements then the things that should be promoted and maintained are those things that are already here, some of which I mentioned in my previous message.
Southampton's long and varied history back to Saxon times and before,(not just the Titanic),if promoted properly, would attract local tourists as well as those from afar.
Sticking an expensive sculpture on the end of a grotty Town Quay will not.
baz1, southampton says...
4:23pm Sun 16 Nov 08
ex so'ton, Abingdon says...
9:45pm Sun 16 Nov 08
goard, Southampton says...
3:12pm Mon 17 Nov 08
goard
PJH, Bishopstoke says...
1:11pm Tue 18 Nov 08
the ground crews that kept the aircraft in the air.
fruitbatchops, ex-woolston says...
9:13pm Sat 31 Jan 09
Spitfire tribute plan approved
SPITFIRE CREW: From left – Cllr John Hannides, Port Director Doug Morrison, Alan Jones and businessman Patrick Trant. Echo picture by Malcolm Nether
The view from across Southampton Water of the proposed memorial.
In this section
- Binmen to spy on your rubbish
- Give us a vote on fluoride
- Police will target yobs
- The cheapest place to live in the South
- Taxi driver fighting for his life after road smash
- Volunteers wanted to trial swine flu vaccine
- Fire wrecks Hampshire gym
- More charges over Arcadia drugs
- School is flying the green flag
- Legal challenge to travellers camp
Sponsored Links
|
|
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
moominpapa, southampton says...
10:15am Sat 15 Nov 08