Anger as life-sized crocheted Spitfire honouring fallen RAF airmen eliminated earlier than Remembrance Sunday to make method for Christmas tree
A crocheted Spitfire painstakingly created to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War is being removed ahead of Remembrance Sunday – to make way for a Christmas tree.
Despite local fury, the stunning life-size model – which took eight months to complete – will be dismantled from its location outside Southport Town Hall today.
But visitors have demanded to know why it couldn’t have been left in place for just two more days, especially as the site does not host Southport’s annual ‘Christmas spectacular’ until November 15.
The fuselage of the artwork – which pays tribute to 145 fighter pilots from occupied Poland who served with the RAF during the Battle of Britain – was constructed by Bootle’s Men in Sheds Association in conjunction with Polish community groups.
It was then covered with panels meticulously crocheted by local yarn-bombing group Southport Hookers before being unveiled last month.
Since then hundreds of visitors have come to admire the Spitfire every day and read memorials to 12 Polish wartime pilots based at nearby RAF Woodvale who lost their lives defending Britain.
But the site is also the centrepiece of the Merseyside seaside resort’s Christmas festivities, meaning the organisers have always accepted that it would have to be dismantled after just two-and-a-half weeks.
The local Royal British Legion, which co-ordinated the project, says its focus for Remembrance Sunday is the annual civic commemoration at Southport’s imposing war memorial.
The life-sized crocheted Spitfire – created by a local Men in Sheds association in conjunction with a yarn-bombing group – in pride of place outside Southport arts venue The Atkinson, next to the town hall
Nigel Mulliss, 72, and wife Gillian, 65, who had travelled from the Wirral to see the ‘fabulous’ artwork, said it was ‘a shame’ that it had to be dismantled ahead of Remembrance Sunday
Meanwhile the organisers of the Christmas festivities say contractors need to start erecting the tree and lights on Monday morning, therefore the site must be cleared in advance.
However yesterday there was universal horror from people visiting the artwork at the prospect, with one woman of Polish descent bursting into tears.
‘My father was Polish, served in the RAF and ended up in a prisoner of war camp,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘He never spoke a word of what he went through. I thought this display was for people like him on Remembrance Sunday.’
Valerie Taylor, 91, from Southport, whose father flew Spitfires while serving in the Air Transport Auxiliary, said: ‘It’s ridiculous.
‘It should be left up and the Christmas decorations put up later.
‘It is an amazing display. I keep coming back to take another look at it.
‘I think what it represents, especially with all the red poppies around it, is an important lesson for children so they know the sort of sacrifices that have been made for them.
‘It is more important than Christmas decorations.’
The spectacular crocheted Spitfire will have been in place for two-and-a-half weeks – but it will be dismantled today as the site is also the centrepiece for Southport’s November 15 ‘Christmas spectacular’ lights switch-on, with work beginning on Monday
Valerie Taylor, 91, from Southport, whose father flew Spitfires while serving in the Air Transport Auxiliary, said it was ‘ridiculous’ for the artwork to be removed before Remembrance Sunday
Nigel Mulliss, 72, and wife Gillian, 65, had travelled from the Wirral to see the ‘fabulous’ display.
‘I think it is a shame it has to come down,’ Mr Mulliss said.
‘I honestly thought it was put up for Remembrance Sunday.’
His wife added: ‘It is just so poignant. How can they be taking it down when we know what it represents?’
Eric Griffiths, 87, and wife Barbara, 89, from Southport, both hoped for a change of heart.
‘I served in the RAF and although I didn’t fly Spitfires I know this is a really accurate depiction of one,’ Mr Griffiths said.
‘It is just wonderful.’
His wife added: ‘The amount of work that has gone into it is staggering. It should really be here for Remembrance Sunday.’
Lindsey Ashenden, 67, from Derbyshire, said: ‘It must have taken the people who made this many hours of skill.
Eric Griffiths, 87, and wife Barbara, 89, from Southport, were wowed by the ‘wonderful’ crocheted Spitfire installation and hoped for a change of heart on plans to dismantle it
‘It just seems really daft.’
However Stuart Steel, community engagement officer for the Royal British Legion who has overseen the project, said it had no choice as the site was already booked for the Christmas tree.
‘This wonderful artwork has brought a new level of awareness about remembrance in people’s daily lives,’ he told the Mail.
‘We could never have anticipated the amount of support it would receive from the public, and everyone involved is extremely grateful.
‘Unfortunately it’s all down to timings as the site is needed for heavy machinery on Monday ahead of the Christmas event.
‘It wouldn’t have been right to ask my volunteers to give up several hours of Remembrance Sunday to dismantle it.
‘So we just have no other choice.’
Mr Steel added that choosing the sought-after location in central Southport meant the Spitfire had been seen by far more people than if it had been put somewhere less prominent – but the trade-off was having to dismantle it after two-and-a-half weeks on show.
It is hoped that the artwork can be put back together and go on display in another town next year.
Southport Business Improvement District and Sefton council both declined to comment.
