Jon Egging Memorial Unveiled
A memorial to Red Arrow pilot Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging has been unveiled on the East Overcliff in Bournemouth.
Bournemouth’s permanent tribute to Flt Lt Jon Egging was opened on Wednesday 29th August 2012th by the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts along with Jon’s wife Emma Egging, his mother Dawn Egging, childhood friend James Godley and colleague & good friend Flt Lt Ben Plank, Red 6, of the RAF Red Arrows.
The Memorial, on East Overcliff Drive, comprises three soaring Red Arrow planes crafted from glass. Each plane has a 5metre long stainless steel mount, featuring beautiful red, white and blue glass beads and sweeping smoke effect finish, to create the appearance of the display team’s signature contrails.
The landscaping design is styled around a mountain top, to reflect Flt Lt Egging’s love of the outdoors, walking and running. The planting echoes the native species found along the coast and cliff top.
The Memorial is based on an original idea by children Penny Vallier and George Cutler, pupils at Kinson Primary School, whose drawing was picked by Emma and Dawn from dozens put forward as inspiration for the final design. Their drawing showed three planes soaring high over mountains, with bright smoke contrails.
It was decided the memorial would be best placed on a green space site on the cliff top adjacent to the East Cliff Lift, opposite Meyrick Road. The site overlooks Bournemouth seafront and the setting for the annual Bournemouth Air Festival. Close by is an existing plaque commemorating a Spitfire pilot killed in an air accident over the bay in 1947.
The Red Arrows have a long association with the town, having displayed to huge crowds for many years. The Bournemouth Air Festival, established in 2008, is the UK's largest and attracts crowds of up to a million over four days each year. It is the town's principal free public event and the Red Arrows displays form the highlight of the Festival.
Jon's widow Emma was at a private unveiling of the memorial on Wednesday 29th August 2012. She will be in Bournemouth all week, supporting the first fundraising event for 'The Jon Egging Trust' - The Red Ball - which is taking place at the B.I.C on Friday 31st August 2012.
Find out more on 'The Red Ball' HERE