Information on Loughborough

Life size bronze figures to honour Leicestershire soliders

Posted on 21/02/2012

Leicestershire Councty Council Chief Executive's

21 February 2012

Life size bronze figures to honour Leicestershire soliders

Four life-size bronze soldiers will be 'standing easy' at County Hall as part of a new memorial honouring Leicestershire's Armed Forces.

The unique and poignant tribute depicting young recruits taking part in a military drill has been selected from a shortlist and will be unveiled in Glenfield this autumn.

Created by Glasgow-based and highly-regarded sculptor Kenny Hunter, the design called 'Stand Easy' also features crossing paths and a central inscribed plaque.

Leicestershire County Council is creating the £75,000 tribute to commemorate local servicemen and women who have lost their lives in conflicts around the world since 1945.

David Parsons, Leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "Kenny's design is a thought-provoking and sensitive interpretation, and will provide a place of contemplation, reflection and respect for the public and visitors.

"By implying the absence of a fifth soldier, the tribute conveys a sense of loss yet also symbolises camaraderie, unity and personal identity.

"We owe a huge debt to local men and women who have died fighting for their country in conflicts around the globe, and we believe that honouring their lives with a lasting tribute is the right thing to do.

"We hope that the memorial will become a central point for remembrance across Leicestershire and I look forward to seeing it take shape."

Peter Roffey, Royal British Legion County President, and Chairman of the Support to the Armed Forces Working Party, said: "I am delighted that Kenny Hunter’s memorial proposal has been commissioned by the County Council. Kenny’s interpretation with four life sized military figures was clearly the favourite in the public consultation and mine too. It is a very fitting tribute to the fallen heroes of Leicestershire.”

Kenny is working with a group of armed forces recruits and young people to help develop the plaster casts which will be used in modelling the bronze figures.

Bereaved families have been invited to work with Kenny to develop the inscription on the plaque.

To find out more, please visit www.leics.gov.uk/memorialcommission or call 0116 305 4113.

Photo Opportunity:

On Wednesday, 22nd February, eight Armed Forces recruits from Welbeck Defence College will work with Kenny at Loughborough University to create the memorial. The faces of the figures will be based on the recruits who will have their faces photographed and cast during the session.

Photographers are invited to attend the event at 10am at Loughborough University School of Art, Epinal Way, Loughborough - entrance is opposite the main entrance to the university.

To find out more or let us know you're attending, please call the county council press office on 0116 305 6274 or email: pressoffice@leics.gov.uk .

Notes:

Residents and staff were asked for their views on five shortlisted designs last year and over 80 responses were received. This feedback helped to inform the final decision which was taken by a panel including Armed Forces representatives.

It will be located in the quadrangle which is accessible to the public.

The shortlisted artists were selected from over 70 submissions.

The four figures will be cast from clay models sculpted by the artist using a traditional ‘lost-wax’ bronze casting process.

The concrete paths will be created by Leicestershire-based company Lafarge.

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Public Relations Unit, Chief Executive’s Department

Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire LE3 8RA

Telephone:  0116 305 6274      Fax: 0116 305 6266

www.leics.gov.uk