There But Not There – Town Council Want To Bring Tommy To Beverley

Beverley Town Council are looking into a project that the Town Clerk, Helen Watson feels would make a poignant tribute to those from the town who lost their lives in the First World War.

Beverley Town Council want to acquire a six foot silhouette sculpture of the solider called ‘Tommy’ from a national incentive called There Not But Not There.

There Not But Not There, which has received
government backing, commemorates the centenary of the end of the First World War by using art.

Helen says that if Beverley purchases ‘Tommy’ it will be used by the town as a constant reminder to those who lost their lives in the War.

Speaking about the council’s plans, Helen said;

“The idea of ‘Tommy’ is that it is a very poignant tribute to those that fell. What we are trying to do is remember the people that were from our area as they matter to us. As you look through it the concept is they are there, but not there.”

“If we had one, then it would be nice to take it to events like the Food Festival and where we go as a constant reminder and it may also be possible to lend it to organisations and local schools.”

Helen has borrowed a ‘Tommy’ from the
neighbouring Driffield Town Council. The Town Clerk has been out looking for different locations where it could be used and displayed.

The Town council are also working with other groups and looking to link ‘Tommy’ into a this year’s Britain in Bloom, she said;

“We have not picked a location yet. We are still discussing them. We have ideas how ‘Tommy’ could be used as centre piece for a floral display in Lord Roberts Gardens.”

“There is a Centenary Working Group at the council, but we have plenty of ideas of how we can use ‘Tommy’ to link into our Bloom projects.”

Helen hopes the community will support the council and help fund the project. The cost is just over £600 per ‘Tommy’ though cash raised does go to support military charities.

Helen said; “Communities are getting the money together and it would be nice if we could do something like this in Beverley. We have some great originations in Beverley and they can come together with the town council and do this project.”

Cllr David Elvidge is backing the plans, he said;

“I think it is important that we mark the centenary of the end of the First World War in an appropriate manner and I think the ‘There But Not There’ project is an innovative way to do just that.”