HMS Vernon statue is closer to becoming a reality
A MONUMENT paying tribute to frogmen and sailors who worked in navy minehunter is one step closer to completion.
Three sculptors have been chosen to vie for the right to build the Vernon monument that will stand at Gunwharf Quays.
It will stand by the site of the navy's diving training school HMS Vernon, that closed in 1996.
The entrants will build small models of the monument to will be judged by the project organisers in November.
Project manager David Carey, 52, from near Petersfield, said: 'We were really pleased with the level of interest we had and we have reduced the original list of 26 to three.
'The artists have all produced military works that have been nationally displayed so we are confident they will make maquettes that leave us with a difficult decision.
'Once the chosen sculptor has been decided we will go through the planning process, with the blessing of Gunwharf.'
The sculpture could go on the walkway down towards the harbour in Gunwharf, or be placed in the Vernon Pond – the final, 13-metre-deep pond before the harbour.
Mr Carey said: 'We have yet to go through the planning process but we are confident of getting one of the two sites.
'The sculpture will either be high on a plinth if it is on land, or
appear out of the water if it is in the pond.'
To make it a reality the Project Vernon team needs to raise 125,000.
Mr Carey said: 'Thanks to the last article in The News we have already received pledges for 15 per cent of the cost.'
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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