Latest news with #StandingWithGiants
BBC News
13-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Giant warning statues on Salisbury army land approved
Planning permission has been granted for dozens of statues of soldiers, cyclists and dog walkers to "continue to stand proudly" on Salisbury Plain.A total of 29 steel silhouettes, including three 10ft (3m) tall "giants" modelled on local soldiers, were erected temporarily on the edge of an army training area in Wiltshire last year, hundreds of people put themselves at risk by wandering into military training areas and it was hoped the army of statues would act as a Col Andy Hough, said the giants carry an important safety message and he is "delighted" they will be staying at Westbury. The installation, near Bratton on the edge of the plain, was created by the charity, Standing with Giants (SWG).Commissioned for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the steel silhouettes were initially only going to stay in place for 28 to their popularity, Wiltshire Council agreed they could stay until the end of the year and now planning permission has been given for them to remain Col Hough, DTE Regional Commander, said it was "important" that armed forces' training was not uninterrupted and that the public were kept safe."Military training can take place at any time of day and night across the year," he said."The giants carry with them important safety messaging that we hope people will take on board when in and around the military training estate at Salisbury Plain." Deborah Urch, from Westbury Town Council Town, said the statues have "really added something special to the area "."There was real excitement when the giants were unveiled last year and it's fantastic to know they'll be staying," she Barton, from SWG, said it was "humbling" having your artwork" so keenly adopted by local residents"."We're delighted that this piece of art will be staying in Westbury, adjacent to such an iconic military training area."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
D-Day veteran's 'unforgettable' 100th birthday
A World War Two veteran who served aboard HMS Fratton during the Normandy campaign and suffered serious injuries has celebrated his 100th birthday. Stan Ford, a long-time resident of Bath and survivor of the D-Day landings, was honoured on Saturday at a community gathering in Keynsham Masonic Hall. Mr Ford suffered a fractured spine and injuries to both legs when the ship was hit by a torpedo and sunk off the coast of Normandy on 18 August 1944. The attack saw 31 people lose their lives, while 38 crew members survived. 'Remarkable' Mr Ford continued to be active in efforts to commemorate those who served in the war. He was named an Ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial in 2022, and his image featured in a life-sized banner as part of the Standing With Giants project. The banner is being displayed at The Guildhall in Bath to coincide with national events marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The centenary celebration was attended by family, friends, and local officials, including Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, and Councillor Karen Walker, Chair of the Council. They presented Mr Ford with a Bath Aqua Glass paperweight as a gesture of recognition for his military service and continued community involvement. Councillor Walker described the milestone as "a truly remarkable achievement" and acknowledged Ford's contributions over the years. Councillor Guy called the event "a special and unforgettable celebration." Mr Ford's 100th birthday was marked not only as a personal milestone but also as an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of veterans and the importance of preserving their stories for future generations. [BBC] [BBC] Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Related internet links
Glasgow Times
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Ayr to host Field of Heroes exhibition to mark VE Day anniversary
The exhibition will comprise over 100 life-size silhouettes of serving personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force, and is derived from the successful 'Standing with Giants exhibition' that took place in France last year in honour of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Standing with Giants featured almost 1,500 silhouettes erected to overlook Gold Beach in Normandy. The exhibition received wide acclaim for its emotional depth and for serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by 'the greatest generation'. The Ayr exhibition will see a number of similar silhouettes, produced in conjunction with the Standing With Giants artist Dan Barton and made out of recycled advertising hoardings, erected in Scotland for the first time, but with an added interactive educational feature: each silhouette will tell the real-life story of a local individual who gave their life for the war effort. Terry Wright, one of the VE80 South Ayrshire team who organised the exhibition (Image: VE80 South Ayrshire) Visitors will have the opportunity to scan a QR code on their phones which will take them to a short video explaining the story of the associated individual's service and sacrifice. Each story is told in the first person and has been voiced by someone the same age as the individual commemorated. "We only enjoy the freedoms we have today because of the sacrifice of these men and women 80 years ago, so it is really important for us to take the time and effort to properly mark this anniversary," said Ken Nairn, local historian and leader of VE 80 South Ayrshire, which has organised the exhibition. "By listening to the individual stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, visitors will hopefully leave with a deeper emotional connection to that generation and what they did for us."
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Ayr to host Field of Heroes exhibition to mark VE Day anniversary
Standing with Giants featured almost 1,500 silhouettes erected to overlook Gold Beach in Normandy. The exhibition received wide acclaim for its emotional depth and for serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by 'the greatest generation'. The Ayr exhibition will see a number of similar silhouettes, produced in conjunction with the Standing With Giants artist Dan Barton and made out of recycled advertising hoardings, erected in Scotland for the first time, but with an added interactive educational feature: each silhouette will tell the real-life story of a local individual who gave their life for the war effort. Terry Wright, one of the VE80 South Ayrshire team who organised the exhibition (Image: VE80 South Ayrshire) Visitors will have the opportunity to scan a QR code on their phones which will take them to a short video explaining the story of the associated individual's service and sacrifice. Each story is told in the first person and has been voiced by someone the same age as the individual commemorated. READ MORE: "We only enjoy the freedoms we have today because of the sacrifice of these men and women 80 years ago, so it is really important for us to take the time and effort to properly mark this anniversary," said Ken Nairn, local historian and leader of VE 80 South Ayrshire, which has organised the exhibition. "By listening to the individual stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, visitors will hopefully leave with a deeper emotional connection to that generation and what they did for us."
