Scout Memorial unveiled.

The Scout Memorial that I have been working on for the past 2 years was unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire last week. The dedication ceremony was held in front of a crowd of 2000 Scouts who had travelled from all over the UK for the event. The memorial sculpture consists of 7 stones in a circle, some containing carved Scouts in sleeping bags, one is of a Scout Leader while others contain objects that might be found around a campfire on typical outing such as ruck sacks and a map- as well as an accurate compass of course. In the centre of the piece is a kinetic fire designed by Angela Conner that sways gently in the breeze. Around the outside of the memorial, etched into the granite paving is a list of 249 in which there is currently a Scout movement. Also carved into the edge of the stones, an inscription by the founder of the Scouts – Baden-Powel. It reads “Try and leave this world a better place than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in knowing that you have done your best.”

The Scout Memorial was really well received by those who attended and hopefully provides a thought provoking memorial for all of those involved with the Scouts, particularly those have lost someone involved in the organisation. It brings to an end 2 years of hard work which began when a Scout Leader provided me with a number of sketched ideas drawn by Scouts from which to develop an overall concept. I am delighted with how it looks, its woodland setting really helps the overall mood of the piece. The combination of the green granite and the buff Woodkirk stone compliment each other perfectly while visiting Scouts, perched on the stones, gazing toward the fire complete the work.

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