Newsletter: February 2025
We hope this newsletter finds you well. As always, we are grateful for your continued enthusiasm and support for Standing with Giants. Here’s a round-up of our latest news, events, and ways you can get involved.
Overview of 2024
What an extraordinary year it has been! The dedication and hard work of Dan, Janette, and their team of volunteers have been nothing short of amazing. From creating a new workspace/hub and crafting stillages to pack and transport our giants, to painting, assembling, and supporting installations across the UK and beyond, their efforts have been invaluable. Our projects have taken us far and wide, including Brussels with our Ukrainian tribute, the British Normandy Memorial, Arnhem, Fort Nelson Portsmouth, Soldiers of Oxford Museum, National Trust Stowe, and Salisbury Plain for the MOD’s “Respect the Range” initiative.
The team has received an incredible amount of media coverage .. participated in press events, and shared laughter and tears in an incredibly emotional D-Day 80th anniversary year.
British Normandy Memorial
In 2024, nearly a quarter of a million people, experienced the power and poignancy of the British Normandy Memorial including the 1,475 servicemen placed with heads bowed on the hillside overlooking Gold Beach, each representing a life lost on D-Day, 6 June 1944. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the British Normandy Memorial, Nicholas Witchell and fellow Trustees, and all colleagues—for warmly welcoming us and providing the opportunity to display our tribute. We are incredibly grateful for the support from our amazing hauliers, D & M Plant Hire Ltd and Flegg Projects & Installation Services, as well as the 272 Harley Davidson members from 21 chapters across the UK and France who assisted our journeys on both sides of the English Channel in April and September."
Dan asked the Women’s Institute for their help to make 22,000 poppies , we received an amazing 37,000 knitted and crocheted poppies which also contributed to make the For Your Tomorrow display a huge success. Our installation team received help with installation from members of our Harley Davidson crew, Brize Norton Airbase, BAE Systems, local expatriates, local tour guides and French residents.
We had the privilege of meeting many D-Day veterans. Being invited to attend the D-Day 80 commemorations at the British Normandy Memorial on June 6th, 2024, was deeply meaningful. Being formally introduced to Their Majesties the King and the Queen, meeting more veterans of the Normandy Campaign, and The Prime minister and having "Standing with Giants" acknowledged by Lord Dannatt and Monsieur Macron in their speeches was an incredible honour.
See photos: here
National Trust - Stowe
Over 85,000 visitors engaged with our installation, The daily visitor numbers were incredible and with the sunrise, and twilight events, our giants were displayed to an incredible 85,000 visitors, in 6 weeks making it a record-breaking event for the National Trust and it was a pleasure to work with the Team. Such an outstanding success, bringing joy, reflection, and meaningful engagement to so many.
Their volunteer network was truly wonderful, and we are so grateful for the hard work and commitment given to us during installation and de-rig particularly grateful when the weather was being challenging however the determination to get the job done regardless to being wet, cold and tired was admirable and truly appreciated,
Nicola Briggs, Regional Manager, shared: “I was moved by the whole thing and humbled, and can’t think of any other experience I have had at the National Trust that has had that impact.”
See photos: here
Plans for 2025
British Normandy Return
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British Normandy Return *
We have been truly humbled by the international response to our work. After displaying in Normandy and National Trust Stowe, the silhouettes have returned to our premises. We are restoring the plinths and carefully removing poppies for cleaning and reuse. Some poppies need replacing due to weather damage, and the WI has kindly agreed to create additional new poppies for this year.
This year, we are introducing nine new figures, including radio operators, medics, and a Scotsman playing the bagpipes, bringing even more depth to our tribute. We will once again stand in remembrance of these heroes in Normandy during this momentous 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe.
Installation Dates: 12th April 2025 - 12th September 2025
Fleggs Projects will be hauling our soldiers in their snazzy red trucks again, stopping at key locations including Blenheim Palace, Fort Nelson, and travelling via Portsmouth Dock.
The return of the Giants has been made possible thanks to generous sponsorship to support the costs of the installation from the Normandy Memorial Trust’s three partners - BAE Systems, KPMG and Teledyne FLIR In addition, Gold Beach Tourisme has partnered with the Trust to support the costs of the installation process and promoting the project across France The public can support the Memorial and Standing with Giants by sponsoring a plaque for £150 in honour of a loved one. These tribute plaques will be positioned in front of the giants and remain on site for at least five years.
More details can be found on the British Normandy Memorial website. link to BNM
Additionally, bespoke Standing with Giants merchandise will be available at the Memorial shop in the newly reopened Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning from 12 April 2025.
Women at War Installation - 14th May 2025
The Women at War exhibition features ten 8ft steel silhouettes of incredible women created by Standing with Giants for the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln. To mark its unveiling at the Memorial Spire, on 14th May 2025 IBCC will host a book festival featuring fabulous female authors, 14-15th March 2025.
Dunkirk -85th Anniversary May 2025
We are planning proposed visual artwork displays in Ramsgate, working with The Royal Temple Yacht Club (RTYC) and Ramsgate Tunnels to commemorate the small boats of Dunkirk and the evacuations and designing and installing a permanent silhouette by the quayside..
Ayrshire Installation - May 8th 2025
At last we have crossed the border - We will be displaying 108 figures, combining Tommies and Scottish soldiers, to mark the VE Day celebrations in Scotland. We are extremely heartened by the enthusiasm for this. This installation titled Field of Heroes, has been led by our Scottish volunteer and ambassador, Terry Wright.
VE Day 80th Anniversary (8th May)
We are creating a striking series of life-size banners honouring WW2 veterans and civilians who were part of the VE Day celebrations. These banners serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience shown.
You can purchase a pull-up banner for local display or lamppost banners to line streets and public spaces.
More information: VE Day Banners
Additionally, we are producing various figures some as tall as 10 ft high to commemorative VE Day displays. If you are interested in funding a set, please get in touch. These installations will be mounted on a purpose-built plinth.
We also create individual figures that are 6ft 6in tall.The figures have a natural rust finish and can be for exhibition or for sale. We currently offer figures of Airmen, Infantry, Marines, and Royal Engineer figures, among others. They can be purchased individually or as sets and start at £650 inc VAT.
More information: Steel Figures
For Your Tomorrow Tribute (September 2025)
We are still searching for our location for our UK autumn installation—watch this space for updates!
New Merchandise
Just in time for our Normandy return, we have introduced new crew neck designs and various Standing with Giants merchandise items. Be sure to check them out!
Shop merchandise: here
Fundraising Appeal
As a non-funded organisation, we rely on the goodwill of our supporters and host sites. If you’d like to organise a fundraiser nominating Standing with Giants as your chosen charity we would be so grateful, you can do so via Just Giving
https://www.justgiving.com/standingwithgiants1205903
or donate directly to us Support Standing with Giants here
Every contribution helps support us and enables us to continue our meaningful work.