Richie Barnes from our Wagon Ways team spent 13 hours hand-carving this Second World War soldier, creating a tribute to all those who have served, and the families whose lives have been changed by conflict.
Now installed in Forest Hall, along the route of the Remembrance Parade on the corner of Forest Hall Road, the sculpture will provide a place for the community to reflect and remember.
Watch the reel below to hear how the sculpture came to life.
The soldier sculpture was organised by Jamie Orange, who served for 25 years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers before joining North Tyneside Council.
Jamie has a longstanding personal connection to the Forest Hall Remembrance Parade, having first taken part at the age of 15. Remarkably, his final year of service in the Army also saw him return to the parade, bringing his military journey full circle.
The opportunity to help bring this sculpture to Forest Hall holds special significance for Jamie, combining his military service, personal memories and continued commitment to the local community.
Thank you to Richie for the time and skill he’s put into creating it, and to Jamie and his team for supporting the project - another example of our commitment to making North Tyneside a place to be proud of.