First pictures of Shoreham Airshow crash memorial ideas revealed
Artists David Parfitt and Jane Fordham have been selected to design the memorials, at five locations, following consultation with the victims’ families by Adur District Council.
Memorials – designs of which are in the early stages – will honour the eleven men killed, first responders and the community.
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Hide AdA report to cabinet members read: “The artists were clear that they wanted to enhance the riverside, work with and not harm the natural surroundings and that as a public space that is used by many who are unrelated to the incident, their design must not disturb anyones use or enjoyment of this well-used route.
“They therefore designed in the hope that it remained fully inclusive and that no one would feel that the dedication of the memorials would overshadow their own personal memories.”
The following is proposed for the five locations:
Ropetackle North – The most formal memorial site. Text acid-etched into memorial and a dedication to the first responders
Downslink/railway – A dedication to the community, featuring a natural landscaped area with flink and oak tables and cantilevered seats
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Hide AdShoreham Road – Discrete areas of solitary seating, separated by planting or screening, with bespoke oak benches. This location will be dedicated to the families of the victims
Old Toll Bridge, east bank – A new arch, formed of 11 individual arches, with a view to the Ropetackle North site. A personal dedication to each of the eleven men could be engraved onto each individual arch. There could also be spaces for people to attach mementos and flowers if they choose
Old Toll Bridge, west bank – Eleven lights high above the riverbank, lit 24 hours a day. The base will generate energy for 124 years
The project is expected to cost around £180,000 and installation would take place after completion of the Adur Tidal Walls flood defence work.
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Hide AdThe council will fund £25,000 of the scheme, with funding to be sought from public bodies and local businesses.
The council does not anticipate the need for a round of public fundraising and the money raised through the Sussex Community Foundation in the wake of the crash will not be used.
Those funds were raised directly for the benefit of the families, the council said.
The Old Toll Bridge, which became a focal point for the community after the crash, was excluded from the design brief as it is a Grade II Listed structure.