Falklands Tribute Opens in Weymouth

An art installation paying tribute to those who died in the Falklands War has opened at a sea front in Weymouth, for Armistice Day. 

255 silhouetted soldiers, representing the British soldiers who died in the 1982 war, have been installed around Northe Fort (NF). 

There is also three silhouetted women, paying tribute to killed civilians. 

The soldiers were made from recycled building materials, with the installation being created by Standing with Giants. 

Mary-Anne Edwards, general manager at NF, spoke to Buzz about the planning and the challenges of bringing this tribute to Weymouth. 

She said: “The location has a lot of challenges; there is frequent wind, and we are a scheduled monument, meaning we cannot drill into the ground. 

“We contacted SWG, and they were incredible – they redesigned the whole thing over months and then brought down a team of 25 volunteers, and it only took 2 days to install.” 

Mary-Anne also expressed frustration over the lack of support from the arts: 

“Unfortunately, we were unable to find any art grants, although we are confident that we will break even through income generated via the event.” 

 

Standing With Giants (SWG) is a charity that creates large scale, outdoor art installations of fallen soldiers. 

The exhibition will run from 5th-30th November, with chances to meet Falklands veterans. 

Volunteer Ian Spencer, a former Marine Engineer, revealed that NF was selected to accommodate this tribute due to its proximity to Portland Harbour. 

Spencer said: “This fort is the lynchpin of defences around the Portland area. 

“The very first vessel that left the UK to go to the Falklands left from Portland, which was a typhoon.” 

Unlike world-wide wars, the Falklands is not part of the curriculum in UK schools.  

This is something Kevin Miller, a Falklands veteran, believes should change so future generations can be educated: 

“The trouble is that it’s classed as a conflict, not a war, so it’s not taught in schools.  

“I’ve been back to the Falklands and its part of their curriculum.  

“The Falklands needs to be added onto the curriculum here so it can give kids an overview of what it meant.” 

The fighting lasted from April to June 1982, ending in Argentina’s surrender.