First pictures of Shoreham Airshow crash memorial ideas revealed

A series of memorial sculptures along the banks of the River Adur will be commissioned to remember the victims of the Shoreham Airshow disaster.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Mar 2017, 09:58 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:52 BST
Initial ideas for the Shoreham Airshow memorial. This element, on the east bank of the Old Toll Bridge, shows how a collection of arches might look. Image courtesy of Jane Fordham and David Parfitt SUS-170328-091114001Initial ideas for the Shoreham Airshow memorial. This element, on the east bank of the Old Toll Bridge, shows how a collection of arches might look. Image courtesy of Jane Fordham and David Parfitt SUS-170328-091114001
Initial ideas for the Shoreham Airshow memorial. This element, on the east bank of the Old Toll Bridge, shows how a collection of arches might look. Image courtesy of Jane Fordham and David Parfitt SUS-170328-091114001

Artists David Parfitt and Jane Fordham have been selected to design the memorials, at five locations, following consultation with the victims’ families by Adur District Council.

Memorials – designs of which are in the early stages – will honour the eleven men killed, first responders and the community.

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A report to cabinet members read: “The artists were clear that they wanted to enhance the riverside, work with and not harm the natural surroundings and that as a public space that is used by many who are unrelated to the incident, their design must not disturb anyones use or enjoyment of this well-used route.

Initial images of part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial, showing how some of the typographic elements might come together at Ropetackle North SUS-170328-091102001Initial images of part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial, showing how some of the typographic elements might come together at Ropetackle North SUS-170328-091102001
Initial images of part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial, showing how some of the typographic elements might come together at Ropetackle North SUS-170328-091102001

“They therefore designed in the hope that it remained fully inclusive and that no one would feel that the dedication of the memorials would overshadow their own personal memories.”

The following is proposed for the five locations:

Ropetackle North – The most formal memorial site. Text acid-etched into memorial and a dedication to the first responders

Downslink/railway – A dedication to the community, featuring a natural landscaped area with flink and oak tables and cantilevered seats

An initial impression of one design for a seated area with tables at Downslink as part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial. Image courtesy of Jane Fordham and David Parfitt SUS-170328-091126001An initial impression of one design for a seated area with tables at Downslink as part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial. Image courtesy of Jane Fordham and David Parfitt SUS-170328-091126001
An initial impression of one design for a seated area with tables at Downslink as part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial. Image courtesy of Jane Fordham and David Parfitt SUS-170328-091126001
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Shoreham Road – Discrete areas of solitary seating, separated by planting or screening, with bespoke oak benches. This location will be dedicated to the families of the victims

Old Toll Bridge, east bank – A new arch, formed of 11 individual arches, with a view to the Ropetackle North site. A personal dedication to each of the eleven men could be engraved onto each individual arch. There could also be spaces for people to attach mementos and flowers if they choose

Old Toll Bridge, west bank – Eleven lights high above the riverbank, lit 24 hours a day. The base will generate energy for 124 years

The project is expected to cost around £180,000 and installation would take place after completion of the Adur Tidal Walls flood defence work.

Initial images of part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial, showing how some of the typographic elements might come together at Ropetackle North SUS-170328-091102001Initial images of part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial, showing how some of the typographic elements might come together at Ropetackle North SUS-170328-091102001
Initial images of part of the Shoreham Airshow memorial, showing how some of the typographic elements might come together at Ropetackle North SUS-170328-091102001
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The council will fund £25,000 of the scheme, with funding to be sought from public bodies and local businesses.

The council does not anticipate the need for a round of public fundraising and the money raised through the Sussex Community Foundation in the wake of the crash will not be used.

Those funds were raised directly for the benefit of the families, the council said.

The Old Toll Bridge, which became a focal point for the community after the crash, was excluded from the design brief as it is a Grade II Listed structure.

Related topics:ArtistsAdur District Council