"The Wing" Planned For Memorial Site

An artist’s impression of how The Wing will appear. (Courtesy of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust)

25 August 2011

The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust has disclosed that the major new learning centre at Capel-le-Ferne in Kent, is to be known as The Wing, writes Geoff Simpson.

Plans have yet to be finalised, discussions with neighbours conducted and planning consent obtained, but it is proposed that the new building will be constructed in the iconic shape of a Spitfire wing.

The scheme to provide greatly enhanced educational and visitor facilities at the National Memorial to The Few has been backed by many veterans of the aerial fighting in 1940 including Wing Commander Bob Foster, DFC, AE, Chairman of the Battle of Britain Fighter Association.

Intended to be situated behind the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall, The Wing has been designed so as not to disturb the tranquillity of the space around the memorial itself, the airman sitting in a three-bladed propeller and looking out from the White Cliffs across the Channel to France.

While the plans have yet to be approved, fund-raising has already begun in earnest. To date, £300,000 has been raised, but another £700,000 is needed.

“This is an exciting building and like the memorial itself it has been designed to look just as good from the air as from the ground,” declared Richard Hunting, CBE, Chairman of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.

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