Children are being given a unique and exciting opportunity to design a memorial to those who have lost their lives in conflict.
The memorial dedicated to fallen servicemen and women from more recent wars would stand in a prominent position alongside the A17 Washway Road in Fleet Hargate.
Anglia Motel owner Harold Payne – a fundraiser for war veterans for 22 years – has allocated land and a £50,000 budget. The youngster who comes up with the chosen design will win £500.
He said: “I’d like to give children the opportunity to do this because they are the next generation.
“This memorial would be something to commemorate all the young men and women who have lost their lives in conflicts in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq and The Falklands War.
“There’s the National Memorial Arboretum and the Bomber Command Memorial and I think it would be nice to have something as a commemoration around here.”
Mr Payne says there is a “blank canvas” as far as design is concerned, but he envisages the project might be about 30ft and would attract the attention of passing traffic.
The half an acre site is next to the junction of the A17 and Fleet Road. Mr Payne hopes to create a seating area, memorial garden and parking space for about ten cars.
“It’s an idea I’ve been toying with for a year or so,” said Mr Payne. “It would need planning permission and I want a design to take to the council.
“There’s a lot of interest in recent conflicts from young people and I thought this would be a way of utilising their interest to make an impact design.
“There are some fabulous examples of sculptures and memorials and I’m sure the children of Lincolnshire can come up with something great. It can be designed in any material, but I’m looking for something modern with a wow factor.
“I’m hoping schools and colleges might see this as a worthy autumn project.”
The competition is open to anyone aged 17 and under living in Lincolnshire. The closing date is December 18, 2015.
Entries should be posted to Memorial Design Competition, The Anglia Motel, Washway Road, Fleet Hargate, Spalding PE12 8LT. Mr Payne would be pleased to speak to anybody anyone wishing to donate to the project.
