Kids Design Memorial For Red Arrow Pilot

All Bournemouth schools have now been invited to submit their pupils' ideas and designs for a Memorial to Red Arrow pilot Jon Egging.

Flt Lt Egging tragically lost his life when his plane crashed in fields in the north of the Borough on 20 August this year, after displaying at the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Schools have until 8 February to submit up to three designs each. Jon's widow Emma, along with his mother Dawn, close family friend James Godley and Red Arrow pilots Dave Davies (Red 8) and Ben Plank (Red 6) will be choosing the winning design shortly afterwards.

The Memorial will be situated on the cliff top slightly west of the central flying 'Datum Line', at a location picked by Emma and Dawn during a recent visit to Bournemouth.  The site is opposite the junction of Meyrick Road and East Overcliff Drive, adjacent to the path to the East Cliff lift, an area known as the East Rockery.

Experienced artists are also being invited to express their interest in making the final design a reality. They are being asked to do so by 16 January 2012. More details of the brief can be found at www.bournemouth.gov.uk/joneggingmemorial

Dr Emma Egging said: 

"The strength of feeling expressed by people in Bournemouth following Jon's death was so moving. I have been overwhelmed by the support of the town and it feels right that his memory should live on there. The location we have chosen for the Memorial has happy memories for me of time spent with Jon, it has a stunning backdrop out to sea, and of course is a popular viewing spot for the Red Arrow displays during the Air Festival."

Councillor Chris Rochester, Mayor of Bournemouth, said: 

"This Memorial will serve as a long-standing mark of respect from the people of Bournemouth. It was clear from the moment this tragedy occurred that both residents of and visitors to Bournemouth hold the Red Arrows in the highest possible regard. We know that people want somewhere where they can pay their respects, and pause to remember the magnificent displays that Flt Lt Egging was part of and I am pleased that the Council is able to make that happen for Emma, Dawn and Jon's friends and colleagues." 

A team of professionals from the Council, including staff from arts development, schools liaison, parks, seafront and planning, are working with Jon's family, friends and colleagues to make sure the Memorial is a fitting tribute to Jon, whilst being in keeping with a cliff top location in a conservation area. 

The designs will be displayed at Bournemouth Library in the spring, and the Memorial itself will be in place in time for the 2012 Air Festival.