Statue to celebrate Royal Navy personnel unveiled

The idea behind the project was to create a memorial space for people to come and pay respects, to past or present Royal Navy personnel

A statue to celebrate Royal Navy servicemen and women both past and present was unveiled in the Cleethorpes Pier Gardens on Saturday morning.

The Royal Navy club in the town raised money from businesses and community groups to install the £13,000 artwork.

Nigel Smith, a Falklands veteran and member of the club said the project had been a two year journey, and he was “immensely proud”.

The statue depicts a navy Wren, a sailor and a marine commando.

Nigel Smith, 60, joined the Royal Navy when he was 16 because he wanted to see the world.

Mr Smith, who served on HMS Antrim, a County Class destroyer during the 1982 Falklands conflict, said the memorial meant everything to him.

“I've been part of something that's history, and what we're doing now is going to be in place so that people can remember and talk about it, and I’m proud of that.”

He said the club was overwhelmed with the support they had from the public, and thanked everyone who had contributed.

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