David Purley, a lasting memorial
Discussion
Living near and having many connections in Bognor I feel strongly that the person I regard as the greatest F1 driver of all time should have a lasting tribute to his memory.Seeing the LEC factory (The company of which he was a director and started by his father)being demolished to make way for a Sainsburys store really brought home to me that his memory is slipping away.
I have wished that a memorial could be placed on the seafront at Bognor but failing that I was wondering if Sainsburys could be persuaded to have something in the entrance to the store to commemorate his career and bravery.I really do not how to go about starting this off and also would seek approval from his wife but hopefully it would be something that people would be happy to see.
Where do I go from here I don't know,suggestions please.
For those that are not familiar with David Purley,all I will say is look him up on Wikipedia but his PH credentials stack up pretty highly,Company director,pilots licence,ex paratrooper and bravery by the bucket load.
David I salute you I hope others wish to do so.
I have wished that a memorial could be placed on the seafront at Bognor but failing that I was wondering if Sainsburys could be persuaded to have something in the entrance to the store to commemorate his career and bravery.I really do not how to go about starting this off and also would seek approval from his wife but hopefully it would be something that people would be happy to see.
Where do I go from here I don't know,suggestions please.
For those that are not familiar with David Purley,all I will say is look him up on Wikipedia but his PH credentials stack up pretty highly,Company director,pilots licence,ex paratrooper and bravery by the bucket load.
David I salute you I hope others wish to do so.
Just came across this on motorsport retro http://www.motorsportretro.com/2012/01/david-purle...
DJRC said:
That video is the single greatest thing that I know of about humanity and also the saddest, most harrowing and depressing.
You know I have often tried to put in to words how I feel about that video,I have only ever watched it about twice,and I think you have hit the nail on the head there.shoestring7 said:
M8rky,
I live in Aldwick, let me know by PM if there's anything I can do to support your effort.
SS7
Thankyou,it's gathering a bit of momentum now so will let you know,I have a contact in Sainsburys and I think realistically that is going to be the best option.Would love to try and get Derek Bell on board (a man worthy of his own recognition).I live in Aldwick, let me know by PM if there's anything I can do to support your effort.
SS7
Edited by m8rky on Friday 27th January 16:10
Update.Today received an email to say my email with a link to this thread has been passed to the property PR team so who knows.All we can do is believe in the saying "From little acorns".
Happened across some stuff I did not know about David Purley,that he was at one time britains youngest pilot,and the story of his parachute failure when he was in the paratroopers and landing attached to his sergeant!
You couldn't make it up,
1.Britains youngest pilot.
2.Joined the Paras on a whim.
3.Surviving the above mentioned parachute failure.
4.Entering F1 for fun.
5.The George Medal for his heroic attempt to save a fellow racer from a blazing car.
6.Surviving his massive shunt at Silverstone.
7.His tragic death while doing plane stunts for fun.
What a legend.
Happened across some stuff I did not know about David Purley,that he was at one time britains youngest pilot,and the story of his parachute failure when he was in the paratroopers and landing attached to his sergeant!
You couldn't make it up,
1.Britains youngest pilot.
2.Joined the Paras on a whim.
3.Surviving the above mentioned parachute failure.
4.Entering F1 for fun.
5.The George Medal for his heroic attempt to save a fellow racer from a blazing car.
6.Surviving his massive shunt at Silverstone.
7.His tragic death while doing plane stunts for fun.
What a legend.
DJRC said:
Witness the shunt car at Donnington. Your mind doesnt register what the eyes are seeing because it isnt possible a human being got out of there alive.
The bravest of the brave.
Yes I intend to take a trip there soon as I have seen the pictures and would like to see it in person,also all the other interesting exhibits there must be there.The bravest of the brave.
Received this e-mail today,
Thank you for your email of 2nd January, we have read the comments of the contributors on the link supplied. We are aware of David Purley's heroic actions in motor racing and the many other notable contributions made during his lifetime. From time to time, we have received various suggestions of ways to remember the Purley family's involvement and contribution to Bognor Regis, particularly through Lec Refrigeration. No decisions have yet been made but we would certainly like to make a suitable tribute to the Purley family in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Lec site.
We understand that there will be a public information meeting held in Bognor Regis during the week of 30th January to inform the public and invite proposals for the use of the s106 agreement funding which Sainsbury’s will contribute from the redevelopment of the former Lec site. It may be an idea to attend this meeting if you wish to promote a memorial/tribute for David Purley or his family.
We hope this is helpful and thank you for taking an interest in our work.
Pat O’Shea
For Sime Darby London Limited
Regards
Pat O'Shea
Tel: 01243 838283 or 01243 861107
Fax: 01243 828918
Web: www.simedarby.co.uk
Sime Darby London Ltd. is a proud supporter of the Bognor Regis Developer & Partner Charter
I will try and get a firm time and date for the meeting.
Thank you for your email of 2nd January, we have read the comments of the contributors on the link supplied. We are aware of David Purley's heroic actions in motor racing and the many other notable contributions made during his lifetime. From time to time, we have received various suggestions of ways to remember the Purley family's involvement and contribution to Bognor Regis, particularly through Lec Refrigeration. No decisions have yet been made but we would certainly like to make a suitable tribute to the Purley family in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Lec site.
We understand that there will be a public information meeting held in Bognor Regis during the week of 30th January to inform the public and invite proposals for the use of the s106 agreement funding which Sainsbury’s will contribute from the redevelopment of the former Lec site. It may be an idea to attend this meeting if you wish to promote a memorial/tribute for David Purley or his family.
We hope this is helpful and thank you for taking an interest in our work.
Pat O’Shea
For Sime Darby London Limited
Regards
Pat O'Shea
Tel: 01243 838283 or 01243 861107
Fax: 01243 828918
Web: www.simedarby.co.uk
Sime Darby London Ltd. is a proud supporter of the Bognor Regis Developer & Partner Charter
I will try and get a firm time and date for the meeting.
Had a chat with Pat O'Shea at Sime Darby today,very helpful and the venue for the meeting is as below,
Meeting will be held on January 30th at the Methodist Church Hall on Waterloo Square,Bognor Regis. at 6.30 pm
This is to discuss the use of the section 106.I will be there to put a case forward,fingers crossed it will work out.
Meeting will be held on January 30th at the Methodist Church Hall on Waterloo Square,Bognor Regis. at 6.30 pm
This is to discuss the use of the section 106.I will be there to put a case forward,fingers crossed it will work out.
Edited by m8rky on Friday 27th January 16:11
http://www.arun.gov.uk/main.cfm?Type=NI&object...
Link above to more details about the meeting.Spoke to a person at Arun DC today who said it is all about discussing ideas,so if anyone is local and wants to lend some support please come along.
Mmm well this may change the direction this may take a little.Had a phone call today from a chap at a firm called GKA who are community relations firm for the construction and development industry.
He informed that there will be some "art panels" along Shripney Road and they seemed quite keen on the idea of something to do with David and the LEC F1 team.
He informed that there will be some "art panels" along Shripney Road and they seemed quite keen on the idea of something to do with David and the LEC F1 team.
Went along to the meeting this evening,got the idea down on paper and will also e-mail the idea in as well so just wait and see.The deadline for proposals is 29th Feb.
So along with the contact I had from GKA which I will pursue further I just hope there will be something at the end of it.
So along with the contact I had from GKA which I will pursue further I just hope there will be something at the end of it.
Will get back on this a bit nearer the completion of the building,have had contact with all parties concerned and it is a bit soon but ongoing and will update when it gets nearer the time for them to do the art panels.Nothing is cut and dried yet but the right people are aware and interested.
Ok,so fair to say I got well and truly suckered in by the false promises of the developers and their PR.
So anyway 2015 is 30 years since David Purley passed away so I am thinking of two options,
1, try and arrange some sort of gathering along Bognor seafront at a weekend near to the anniversary of his passing.
2,see if the FoS would do some sort of tribute.
Would be great to get the LEC F1 car on display and to tell David's story to a generation that may not know of him.
So anyway 2015 is 30 years since David Purley passed away so I am thinking of two options,
1, try and arrange some sort of gathering along Bognor seafront at a weekend near to the anniversary of his passing.
2,see if the FoS would do some sort of tribute.
Would be great to get the LEC F1 car on display and to tell David's story to a generation that may not know of him.
chevronb37 said:
I have suggested a tribute to 'The Lost Generation' at the FoS to the Competitions Department. If you could get a couple of interested parties on board, like the Donington Collection, I'm sure you could get their interest.
Drop me a PM if you'd like any help with it - I'd be delighted to do what I can.
Great idea,many thanks.Will PM you later.Drop me a PM if you'd like any help with it - I'd be delighted to do what I can.
jsf said:
David's LEC is no longer in the Donington Collection. The car is currently having a full restoration at WDK Motorsport, to have it ready for a return to the tracks next year.
That is great to hear,and answers a question I was pondering while walking along Bognor seafront today.I was thinking how great it would be to see the LEC F1 do a demo run down the seafront on the 30th anniversary of David's passing.
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