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Sept
Ripon's remarkable knitted tank to be retired next week
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The incredible life-size knitted tank that put Ripon in the media spotlight during last year's D-Day 80th anniversary commemoration and celebration events is being retired and put into storage.
The replica Churchill bunker buster AVRE (armoured vehicle Royal Engineers) was created from wool and wood by Ripon Community Poppy Project, along with Ripon Men’s Shed members Richard Thomson and Gordon Woods, who built the tank's frame from materials donated by MKM Building Supplies.
Tens of thousands of hours were spent on the huge project, which was supported by businesses, organisations and individuals, including an army of knitters who produced more than 1,850 olive green squares to cover the framework, which was built in a hangar at Claro Barracks belonging to 21 Engineer Regiment of the Royal Engineers.
Now, after fulfilling its official duties, grabbing the attention of the public at numerous locations across the city and wider Ripon area and going on display at the Longest Yarn D-Day commemoration event in Llandudo, the tank is looking a litttle battle-weary and it's time to say goodbye.
Jack Churchill, great grandson of Britain's wartime hero Sir Winston Churchill, said he was 'astounded by the workmanship' on the tank when he travelled to Ripon to attend last year's D-Day concert of remembrance at the cathedral.
Former Mayor of Ripon, Stuart Martin, who co-founded the poppy project with Hazel Barker, told the Stray Ferret:
Thanks to the logistical support provided free of charge by Ripon Farm Services, we were able to have the tank moved from location to location in the Ripon area, but on each occasion it had to be reassembled and dismantled and this has taken its toll.
With the increasing wear and tear we have witnessed, we don't want it to become a liability and we made the decision to take it off public display and put it into storage.
The tank on Market Square for the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations in May
He added:
As well as MKM, Ripon Farm Services and Tate's, there are so many to thank for making the project such a success, including: The Royal Engineers, Ripon City Council, North Yorkshire Council, Ripon Cathedral, Econ Engineering, the National Trust, Newby Hall, Ripon BID, Jennyruth Workshops, Ripon Inn, Ripon Men's Shed, Andy Dobbs Photography, Colour it In and Ken Rodney Barriers.
Standing guard on the forecourt at Ripon Cathedral
The final leg of the tank's tour took it to Tate's Garden Centre on Studley Road and it can be seen there until Wednesday (September 17).
Managing director Tom Tate said:
We've had it on display a couple of times and people have loved seeing it here and finding out about the essential role that the real-life bunker busters and the Royal Engineers, played in World War Two.
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