'Give us a peep!' Stokie heroes cleaning iconic Reginald Mitchell Way Spitfires

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Community champions Damien West and Rob Elsby have started cleaning the iconic Reginald Mitchell Way Spitfire displays. Damien has been in position since around 1.30am today - and is expected to finish on Friday.

They work for WJ Group and as part of the terms of their employment are able to each year carry out work in the community while still being paid. They are now cleaning the memorials, repainting them, and cutting back the grass surrounding them.

Now Damien is sharing the progress with members of Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents' Association. And he is appealing for any help.

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Damien said: "We are out working on the Spitfires and Walrus today. We have been working through the night to restore all three structures on Reginald Mitchell Way and will continue today and if anyone is free and willing to pop over and muck in it would be great or just give us a peep if you are driving past."

Damien West and Rob Elsby are restoring the Reginald Mitchell Way Spitfires
Damien West and Rob Elsby are restoring the Reginald Mitchell Way Spitfires

Fellow community champion Rob Harris has also previously cleaned the displays.

Two concrete Spitfires and a Walrus Seaplane are cast into the embankment off Reginald Mitchell Way. The Spitfire and Walrus monuments - by artist Magnus Irvin - were unveiled in 1996 following the completion of Reginald Mitchell Way – the first phase of the Tunstall Western Bypass.

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