World praise for tribute to Sir Tom
BURTON FIRM WHICH MADE A STEEL STATUE OF NATIONAL HERO CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE IS ‘HUMBLED’ BY RESPONSE
A BURTON firm which has made a life-sized steel statute of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore says it has been left “humbled” after being inundated with heartfelt comments over the moving artwork.
Workers at AGC Fabrications, in Wetmore Road, spent 48 hours making the steel silhouette of Sir Tom, who became a national hero when he walked laps around his garden and raised £33 million for the NHS. He used his walking frame and completed the incredible feat in the runup to his 100th birthday last year.
His efforts served to inspire people during the Covid pandemic and they got behind his fund-raising campaign. He went on to be knighted by the Queen. When he died on February 2, there was an outpouring of tributes to the Second World War hero, including a national “clap” to pay respects. He died after contracting coronavirus while he was being treated for pneumonia.
AGC Fabrications chose Thistley Meadow, in Hatton, to erect its latest work after it previously donated a Tommy soldier statue to replace a war memorial stolen from the South Derbyshire village.
And it has been receiving praise from across the world, with messages even coming in from people in New Zealand, who has spotted news of the statute online.
The Captain Tom statue shows the hero and his trademark walking frame which he used to walk the laps of his garden and he has his thumb in the air, which he did when he completed his feat. It also includes his now famous quote of, “Tomorrow will be a good day”.
Austin Cox, managing director at AGC Fabrications, said: “Over a year ago there was a war memorial stolen from Thistley Meadow and we made a Tommy soldier to replace it as we were quite upset about what had happened. “We decided to make a statue of Sir Tom as we were so inspired by him and we wanted to do something. Because we had done the Tommy we wanted to do something similar. “We had heard in the news he had died so set about making the silhouette. It took us about 48 hours. “We made it out of steel and painted in black, with his name and his saying, ‘Tomorrow will be a good day.’ “There has been a pretty good reaction to it. We have been humbled by it. We have been really taken aback by the comments. I have been reading some from Australia and New Zealand.
“Everyone is shocked and surprised.”
Parish councillor Lewis Anderson said: “Captain Tom embodied the nation’s collective spirit, all pushing together to do our bit at a time of shared struggle.
“His fantastic community spirit and hugely successful campaign rightly makes him worthy of this honour, standing permanently as a legacy and a role model to everybody who crosses the River Dove.
“There are many Captain Toms among us, doing their all for the betterment of those around them, but the courageous fund-raising mission by the centenarian war veteran makes him a fitting mascot for the positivity that comes when we all pull together.
“It’s clear that his selfless actions have captured the admiration and praise of many local people who supported his efforts by donating to his campaign, and I hope many choose to lead in his shining example by seeing what they can do in their community at such a testing time.
“I’m sure all of Tutbury, Hatton and those nearby would like their thanks on record to AGC Fabrications for designing such a permanent and poignant tribute; two words very fitting to the legacy of Captain Tom.”
Further tributes have been paid to Sir Tom by readers online at www. thankyoucaptainsirtom.com/
Kayleigh Bullivant said: “A truly inspirational man who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.”
Marianna said: “Thanks Captain Tom for being such an inspiration for many of us.”
Susan Hipperson said: “Captain Tom Moore, you were a true inspiration and achieved more than beyond our nation’s wildest dreams. A true legend. May you now rest in peace.”
John Jackson said: “Captain Sir Tom Moore, a shining example that makes us proud to be British. Determined, brave, generous and a lovely sense of humour. A truly wonderful example of the human spirit to us all.”
You can leave your own tribute to Captain Tom by clicking on www. thankyoucaptainsirtom.com/