June 19, 2018 9.35 am This story is over 70 months old

Firms donate £10k to A46 Bomber sculpture

The sculpture will appear to be in flight on the horizon
Two Nottingham-based companies have donated a total of £10,000 towards the Lancaster Bomber sculpture project.

Two Nottingham-based companies have donated a total of £10,000 towards the cost of an iconic 30 foot high Lancaster Bomber sculpture.

As previously reported, plans for a full-sized all steel structure next to the A46 were given backing by North Kesteven District Council.

It has been given wings to fly 98 fleet above the ground off the A46, acting as a symbolic gateway to Lincolnshire.

It will appear to be in flight on the horizon, heading ‘home’ to the former RAF base at nearby Swinderby Airfield.

Artist’s impression of the sculpture off the A46.

The steel structure will be left its natural colour so as to allow it to turn amber with rust.

MG Nottingham and sister company Vehicle Procurements Ltd have donated a total of £10,000 towards the landmark, which will be situated on the county border just north of Brough and be visible to more than 30,000 passing motorists a day.

Ken Sadler of Bomber County Gateway Trust, who are the charity responsible for erecting the new landmark, said: “We are delighted to have MG Nottingham and Vehicle Procurements on board as key sponsors.

“Their support takes us another step closer to achieving our overall target, and another step closer to having a landmark which communities from both counties are keen to see.”

Ken and WWII veterans including Dambuster George “Johnny” Johnson visited the site near Norton Disney to break ground and mark the start of construction last month.

The design for the Lancaster gateway sculpture.

Director at MG Nottingham and Vehicle Procurements Ltd, Malcolm Ledgar, added: “To be associated with such a good local cause and with a landmark that will be there for time immemorial is heart warming – we will be able to point to it and say to our Grandchildren that we were part of making that happen.

“We also associate with the heritage of the RAF in the local counties. Our companies pride themselves on a level of service that harks back to days of old when customer service meant something. Plus I’m sure a good number of RAF bomber crews would have had fun in MG’s back in the forties!”

The Bomber Gateway Trust has said the sculpture will cost £100,000 to build.

To donate click here.