'Soldiers' to stand guard in run up to Armistice Day

23 Oct 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Life size wire models depicting World War One soldiers will be ‘standing guard’ in the county over the coming weeks.

The council has bought two of the soldiers, holding their rifles with heads bowed, from a artist who used chicken wire and recycled materials to make the stunning artwork.

The models will be stationed in Cowpen Cemetery, in Blyth, which contains a number of war graves, and the soldiers will be moved around the grounds in the run up to Armistice Day - November 11.

The soldiers provide an atmospheric sight, as they are hollow which allows the daylight to shine through them. The soldiers will be on display during office hours Monday to Friday and removed each night.

Two other soldiers have been bought and sold to Bedlington Town Council for their memorial events.

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Local Services, said: “These are incredibly impressive models and you can’t help be moved when you think of what they represent.

“At a time of year when many people’s thoughts turn to the sacrifices made for us over many years, this artwork strikes a respectful tone in a place dedicated to remembrance.”