Vera to forever watch over our White Cliffs
DAME Vera Lynn’s family are to launch an appeal to raise funds for a memorial to the singer.
Sculptor Paul Day has been chosen to create a statue near the white cliffs of Dover to commemorate the Second World War “Forces Favourite”.
Dame Vera entertained troops with morale-boosting visits to the front line. She died in June last year aged 103. Her family, with Tory MP Sir David Amess, will launch the appeal on Friday, the first anniversary of her death. Virginia Lewis-Jones, her daughter, said: “We are truly delighted that Paul will be capturing my mother’s essence in a statue that will stand the test of time.
“The past year has shown that she has an enduring legacy and we’re committed to keeping the memories alive for future generations.”
The prospective location inspired Dame Vera’s famous song (There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs Of Dover.
Another of her hits, We’ll Meet Again, experienced a resurgence last year when the Queen referenced it in an address to the nation about Covid.
On Friday, singer Katie Ashby, who performed on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent with The D-Day Darlings, is releasing a song to raise funds.
Ashby said: “The song represents the beacon of hope and light Dame Vera was, and still is today, for so many people.”
Paul Day won the competition to produce The Queen Mother Memorial which is now located in The Mall, central London.