Spitfire memorial to honour Trowbridge history moves a step forward

Wiltshire Council contractors have cleared the four ash trees suffering from Ash Dieback disease from the traffic roundabout near the Spitfire Retail Park where some of the planes were built.

The roundabout on the A363 Bradley Road is where campaigners from the Polish community intend to install the metal plinth and fibreglass memorial when they are built.

The roundabout at top end of Bradley Road where trees have been cut down making way for the Spitfire Memorial.  (Image: Trevor Porter)

Dr Simon Selby, the Republic of Poland’s honorary consul for the South West, says the Polish community in Trowbridge has offered to pay for the memorial.

Many Polish airmen flew the Spitfire planes in Britain’s defence during the Second World War alongside British pilots.

The offer was made to Trowbridge well over a year ago but the Polish community was waiting for the council to finalise its guidance policies for art and design in the public realm.

Now that Wiltshire Council has approved these, the project can move forward.

Wiltshire Council has welcomed the scheme, but says it has no further comments at this stage.

A model of the legendary Second World War Spitfire fighter aircraft. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Dr Selby said: “We spent a while waiting for Wiltshire Council to respond, then I took the donor model to Glastonbury to be up-scaled and made into solid wood so fibreglass mould can be made.

“It turns out the master carpenter is in North Bristol (my mistake), so that was another delay.

“More positively, several large companies have expressed an interest in supporting the project and, as you’ve noticed, the roundabout has been cleared.

“While that was actioned before our request, we have planted several thousand trees elsewhere (Devon) to more than compensate.

“The roundabout ones were Ash and in a poor state, most likely Ash dieback.

“The next stage is to confirm if planning is required and then to get the design formally accepted.

“I would also like to get the flag tiles to go around the edge made, perhaps by college students but that’s a conversation once the overall plan is ok’d.

“Lastly, I intend to ask highways to donate and fit three lampposts, or similar to act as the plinths for the three spitfires.”

The memorial would comprise of three 1/8th scale Spitfire planes on plinths, with various stones set around the edge. These would reflect the flags of the various allied nations that helped to defend Britain during WWII.

Several businesses, individuals and Trowbridge Museum are all backing the project and Dr Selby says it requires "minimal involvement" from Trowbridge Town Council and Wiltshire Council to go ahead.