A historic memorial to a record-breaking Weymouth student has been restored.
The Stainforth Memorial in the town’s award-winning Greenhill Gardens commemorates the achievement of former Weymouth College student, Wing Commander George Stainforth.
Wing Commander Stainforth set a world air speed record in 1931 when he flew a Schneider Supermarine S6B sea plane at 406.92 miles-an-hour. He was a student at Weymouth College from 1915-17.
The repairs to the memorial, which features a model of the record-breaking plane, were paid for by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council. The plane, which is set on a tablet of Portland stone, has been in the gardens since 1952.
Councillor Andy Blackwood, borough council Community Facilities Briefholder, said: “This memorial is a part of Weymouth’s proud history and serves as a reminder to a great achievement by a former student of our town.
“I am very pleased we have been able to save it for future generations to enjoy. It is an asset to our beautiful Greenhill Gardens.”
The conservation work was done by Emma Norris, of Humphries and Jones in Crewkerne, specialists in Sculpture and Architectural Conservation.
She said: “It was an interesting project and in many ways just as complex as restoring a medieval artefact. The plane had sustained extensive damage from the forces of nature and exposure to the prevailing weather. We had to conserve the plane’s metal core and then completely reconstruct it.”
The Greenhill Gardens, which are owned by Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, have been recognised as among the best parks in the country and awarded a prestigious Green Flag.
Green Flags are warded by independent charity ‘Keep Britain Tidy’. They investigate how well managed, welcoming, safe, clean and accessible a place is.
The Greenhill Gardens are on the edge of the town centre and slope up from the beach and promenade. Visitors can enjoy great views, an 18-hole putting green, four tennis courts, brightly coloured borders, the floral clock flower display and a wishing well. There are also toilets next to the bowling green and a café.
More information about parks and gardens in Weymouth and Portland is available here: www.dorsetforyou.com/weymouthandportlandgardens
Further details of the Green Flag awards is available here: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/greenflagaward/559
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For more information about this news release please contact Kate Shelley, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Communications Team, on 01305 252316.
