DO MENTION THE WAR!
The British expat who’s gone into battle with his German neighbours
RARELY since Basil Fawlty has a Briton so upset the Germans.
Unfortunately, it’s a bit too late for anyone to tell this patriotic gardener: Don’t mention the war!
Expat Gary Blackburn has caused uproar in the German town where he now lives by turning his garden into a quirky tribute to Britain – complete with a 52-ton tank on the lawn.
The tree surgeon has also installed a red telephone box, post box and model cows painted red, white and blue.
Life-sized models of the Queen and corgis sit inside his log cabin, where swords and suits of armour hang on the walls.
On the roof is a model of a propeller plane – though Mr Blackburn has not yet been able to get his hands on the real thing.
And completing the scene is a giant tea set, plus a lime green Mini bearing the image of Mr Bean. Recently added is a three-wheeled Reliant car like Del Boy’s in Only Fools and Horses.
But some locals have failed to see the funny side and residents and a German MP have complained.
The 53-year-old, who lives in the Rhineland town of Kretzhaus, 20 miles from former West German capital Bonn, said: ‘I’m English. We may be somewhat quirky.’ He said his handiwork is an expression of his patriotism and belief in Britain after the Brexit vote. Although he did not have a vote in the referendum, Mr Blackburn – who moved from Lincolnshire 32 years ago – said: ‘When Britain voted for Brexit I decided to make my own little Britain here in Germany.
‘For me the tank is a sign of peace. I have decorated it with a lot of poppies and white doves. The poppies stand for freedom and peace in Britain and commemorate fallen and injured soldiers during the past two world wars.’
Two neighbours want the tank removed, he said. And the Bonn-based General Anzeiger newspaper has carried less-then complimentary stories.
‘Conflict in Kretzhaus – tank displeases the neighbourhood’, read one headline.
Ellen Demuth, an MP from the ruling Christian Democrat party, said: ‘Tanks are used in so many wars, which makes a mockery of all the victims.’
State officials have said the tank – which Mr Blackburn bought for £28,000 from a seller in Switzerland – does not breach Germany’s War Weapons Control Act because it is on private land and is neither ‘driving nor operational’.
Unperturbed by the adverse reaction, the father of six said: ‘I refuse to let this negative energy get to me. My forefathers died in the First World War and this a tribute to them and to peace and freedom.’
Mr Blackburn said his German wife Monika, 38, regularly decorates the armoured vehicle with fresh flowers and tourists often stop to take photos.
He has provided a guestbook for any passers-by to leave comments, adding: ‘People [have] put only nice things.’
The tree surgeon, who trained at Merrist Wood College in Surrey, and has worked in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, now runs a tree surgery company serving the Rhineland and employs 20 staff.
His tank, built in 1953, has seen no action.
The Centurion was a British Army main battle tank during the Cold War period and saw service in Korea, during the Suez Crisis and in the Falklands.
‘I’m English – we’re quirky’