Creator of Darwen Spitfire monument looks for next project

1:11pm Tuesday 13th November 2012 in Darwen Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

The Spitfire monument The Spitfire monument

THE boss of Darwen metal firm WEC said he was looking for his next project in the town after the model Spitfire was unveiled at the weekend.

A replica Spitfire, a twelfth the size of a real one, was erected at the traffic island on The Green, near the White Lion pub, at the Remembrance ceremony on Saturday.

The memorial to the £5,000 raised by Darreners to buy one of the aircraft for the RAF during the Second World War, is the latest in a string of donations made by the firm to the town.

And WEC managing director Steve Hartley said he was ‘open to suggestions’ for civic projects. He said: “We are always open to suggestions but it has to be something we are interested in.

“It, obviously, has to be metal and in a place where lots of people will see it.”

Already this year, the firm had donated a new dome for Darwen Tower after the last one blew off in high winds.

Both the dome and the Spitfire were produced by apprentice engineers in the WEC academy.

Mr Hartley said the Spitfire was one of WEC’s best pieces of work. He said: “I drove up to the Spitfire and I was wondering how much I would like it and it really gave me the ‘wow’ factor.

“You have to have passion with these things and I like aviation and making things in metal.

“It isn’t so often somebody approaches you to make a Spitfire. But it means a lot to a lot of people.”

Darwen Town Council mayor Eileen Entwistle praised the Spitfire, adding: “I want to thank Mr Hartley and the apprentices for all they have done for the town.”

Whitehall Coun Karimeh Foster highlighted Mr Hartley’s generosity, adding: “The Spitfire is a new landmark for the town.

“He is helping put Darwen on the map.”

  • What do think the next project should be? Make your suggestions in the comments section below.

Comments(23)

A Darener says...
3:03pm Tue 13 Nov 12

11:12am Tue 13 Nov 12
A Darener says...

WEC say they are after suggestions for their next civic project. How about a scale model of a Darwen tram? This. could be sited somewhere on the main A666 where they used to run. Bringing history to life for the younger generation that have only Blackpool trams to see.

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dandy2 says...
3:08pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Have the city donate a parcel of land. make your models and set up a park like display area, charge admision with proceeds going torwards upkeep,advertising etc. This should attract lots of tourist and interest for Dawwen . good luck andy

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RUinsane says...
5:30pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Model of Darwen Tower or Jubilee Tower for the spitfire to have something to fly over.

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amazed says...
7:20pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Wow was my reaction when I saw the splendid model of the Spitfire.I can't wait to get down there with my camera so that I can email ex Darwen friends now living overseas.This a wonderful addition to the town and I just hope that the unfriendly locals don't have a go at it! Thank you WEC - a job well done

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TrueBlue (Formerly GetRealUIdiot) says...
10:32pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Long shot, but what about something to do with the visit of Ghandi to Darwen.

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Unhappycyclist says...
12:57am Wed 14 Nov 12

The excellent quality of fabrication of the sculpture is tribute to the skills of the apprentices who made it. Well done lads, combined with the design and artistic interpretation, beyond belief. Thank you WEC.

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2 for 5p says...
8:17am Wed 14 Nov 12

How about a model of a pen

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trevhd says...
11:13am Wed 14 Nov 12

How about rebuilding the Rosins pub

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allan1957 says...
3:36pm Wed 14 Nov 12

What about some metal stocks to put the scum in that deface such wonderful things they could be placed outside the market square.

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Councillor Duncan says...
11:12am Fri 16 Nov 12

(former councillor) I would like to propose a metal 'Darwen' sign bearing the crest is built and displayed in the market square - similar to those carved out of wood that are in the centre of nearly all Suffolk and Norfolk towns, it could incorporate famous Darwen Landmarks such as India Mill, the Tower, (now) the Spitfire
and would be a real focal point in the heart of this historical market town

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Councillor Duncan says...
11:12am Fri 16 Nov 12

(former councillor) I would like to propose a metal 'Darwen' sign bearing the crest is built and displayed in the market square - similar to those carved out of wood that are in the centre of nearly all Suffolk and Norfolk towns, it could incorporate famous Darwen Landmarks such as India Mill, the Tower, (now) the Spitfire
and would be a real focal point in the heart of this historical market town

Report this post »

Councillor Duncan says...
11:12am Fri 16 Nov 12

(former councillor) I would like to propose a metal 'Darwen' sign bearing the crest is built and displayed in the market square - similar to those carved out of wood that are in the centre of nearly all Suffolk and Norfolk towns, it could incorporate famous Darwen Landmarks such as India Mill, the Tower, (now) the Spitfire
and would be a real focal point in the heart of this historical market town

Report this post »

Councillor Duncan says...
11:13am Fri 16 Nov 12

(former councillor) I would like to propose a metal 'Darwen' sign bearing the crest is built and displayed in the market square - similar to those carved out of wood that are in the centre of nearly all Suffolk and Norfolk towns, it could incorporate famous Darwen Landmarks such as India Mill, the Tower, (now) the Spitfire
and would be a real focal point in the heart of this historical market town

Report this post »

Councillor Duncan says...
11:13am Fri 16 Nov 12

(former councillor) I would like to propose a metal 'Darwen' sign bearing the crest is built and displayed in the market square - similar to those carved out of wood that are in the centre of nearly all Suffolk and Norfolk towns, it could incorporate famous Darwen Landmarks such as India Mill, the Tower, (now) the Spitfire
and would be a real focal point in the heart of this historical market town

Report this post »

A Darener says...
11:37am Fri 16 Nov 12

A Darener wrote:
11:12am Tue 13 Nov 12
A Darener says...

WEC say they are after suggestions for their next civic project. How about a scale model of a Darwen tram? This. could be sited somewhere on the main A666 where they used to run. Bringing history to life for the younger generation that have only Blackpool trams to see.
Further thoughts...

Could also be a "bus" shelter sited at the Circus or Darwen boundary or along the A666 or outside the old tram shed

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amazed says...
6:04pm Fri 16 Nov 12

Best idea above is by Allan1957.

Make some stocks for the riff raff which let this town down.

The sun shone yesterday(!) and the Spitfire looked a treat. The only thing m
issing is a security camera on The White Lion. Maybe WEC will provide one of them?

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Red Rosie says...
1:16pm Mon 19 Nov 12

What about India Mill Chimney, that could look good.

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A Darener says...
1:23pm Mon 19 Nov 12

Red Rosie wrote:
What about India Mill Chimney, that could look good.
Don't see the point? We have the real thing to look at.

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Bowie fan says...
7:36pm Tue 20 Nov 12

What about a scaled down model of a steam engine or a statue of Samuel Crompton, although from Bolton he lived in Darwen.

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Bowie fan says...
6:31pm Wed 21 Nov 12

A scaled down model of a steam engine that has a motor and is coin operated. It would be an attraction for Darwen and generate some money.

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Bowie fan says...
6:31pm Wed 21 Nov 12

A scaled down model of a steam engine that has a motor and is coin operated. It would be an attraction for Darwen and generate some money.

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Bowie fan says...
6:31pm Wed 21 Nov 12

A scaled down model of a steam engine that has a motor and is coin operated. It would be an attraction for Darwen and generate some money.

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louderfasterlonger says...
2:17pm Sat 24 Nov 12

How about a scaled down model of HMS Wakeful which was commisioned with the help of a subscription by the people of Darwen during WW2, or perhaps a scaled-up version of the Ships Bell which is sited in Blackburn Council Chamber and was gifted to the Borough in the 1990s.

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