Anger as Crocheted Spitfire Removed for Christmas Tree
Local residents are upset as the stunning life-size model of a Spitfire, which took eight months to create, is being dismantled today outside Southport Town Hall. The crocheted aircraft was made to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War but has to be removed ahead of Remembrance Sunday to make way for a Christmas tree.
Visitors have questioned why the installation couldn’t stay just two more days, especially since Southport’s annual Christmas spectacular does not begin until November 15.
Creation and Significance of the Spitfire
The fuselage was built by Bootle’s Men in Sheds Association in collaboration with Polish community groups. It honors 145 fighter pilots from occupied Poland who served with the RAF during the Battle of Britain.
Local yarn-bombing group Southport Hookers covered the structure with panels crocheted with great care. The display was unveiled last month and has since drawn hundreds of visitors who admired it daily and reflected on memorials dedicated to 12 Polish pilots from nearby RAF Woodvale who died defending Britain.
Site and Event Details
- The Spitfire stood at the heart of the Merseyside seaside resort’s Christmas celebrations.
- Organizers had planned from the start that the model would only be displayed for about two and a half weeks.
- The Royal British Legion, which coordinated the project, focuses on the annual civic commemoration at Southport’s war memorial for Remembrance Sunday.
"Its focus for Remembrance Sunday is the annual civic commemoration at Southport's imposing war memorial."
The community’s frustration reflects the desire to balance honoring history with seasonal celebrations in a limited public space.
Author’s Summary
The removal of the intricately crocheted Spitfire has sparked public discontent, highlighting tensions between preserving war memorials and accommodating festive events in shared spaces.