An eye-catching proposal for a new war memorial in Fleet has been created by a 17-year-old student.
Austin Walker-Hyde’s concept of butterflies flying out from an open book won a competition run by Anglia Motel owner Harold Payne. The design symbolises the spirit of fallen personnel being released and living on.
Sixth form art and design students at University Academy Holbeach were encouraged to come up with designs and Austin’s entry won £500.
He said: “We did it as project work and made the model.
“I started by looking at different artists’ sculptures and gaining inspiration.
“I’m pleased with how it turned out.”
Subject to planning permission, Mr Payne wants to site the memorial to victims of modern-day conflicts on a plot of land he owns beside the junction of the A17 Washway Road and the B1515 Fleet Road.
At 25 feet high and constructed from stainless steel, it could cost between £50,000 and £70,000.
Mr Payne ran the competition for under-18s, and visitors to his café voted for their favourite.
He said: “There was a very, very good standard. I think they did really well.
“It’s good to involve the younger generation.
“The design has gone off to China to be priced.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to go to the planners in the next few weeks and then we’ll start fundraising for it.
“All being well, we should be able to get it up by the end of next year.”
Eleven students from UAH made designs and tutor AlIstair Ruskin said all had worked hard and he was pleased with the “exceptionally high” standard.
He said the prize money would be shared out between the UAH entrants, with Austin getting a large proportion.
