Memorial to bomber crews brings major national award for artist

Peter Naylor, whose tribute to 158 Squadron has drawn thousands to the former Lissett airfield near Bridlington, will travel to London next month to be presented with the Marsh Award for Excellence in Public Sculpture.

The memorial, unveiled last year in a ceremony led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, depicts seven airmen heading off on a mission in honour of the 851 squadron members killed during the war.

Mr Naylor, 59, from Beverley, said: "This was my first piece of work of this kind so to win this award is absolutely amazing. It's been almost a life-changing event because I never realised how much it would touch people's hearts, it's very gratifying."

The site has already used up eight visitor books each holding 750 entries.

Mr Naylor will speak at an exhibition at The Treasure House, in Champney Road, Beverley, on Thursday, October 28th, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

He will give a full lecture at the same venue on Saturday, November 20, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. This exhibition, which runs until December 4, traces the monument's development from inception to installation.