Support For "White Cliffs Of Dover" Memorial To Former Ditchling Resident Dame Vera Lynn

Wednesday, 12 May 2021 13:43

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Government support has come to a campaign for a memorial to former Ditchling resident Dame Vera Lynn on the White Cliffs of Dover.

Yesterday, culture minister Matt Warman told the House of Commons he “looks forward” to the day when a statue is in place to commemorate the "Forces' Sweetheart".

Dame Vera, who lived in Ditchling after her retirement, and who died last year at the age of 103, entertained troops in World War 2 with her singing and morale-boosting visits to the front lines.

Fundraising for the project is expected to begin on June 18 – the anniversary of her death.

Conservative Sir David Amess (Southend West) led an adjournment debate in the House of Commons calling for the project to go ahead.

He received support from party colleagues and the DUP’s Jim Shannon (Strangford) yesterday (May 11).

Though Mr Warman told MPs it is “not normal practice” for central government to fund new memorial, he highlighted the work of organisations in delivering such monuments.

He added he could think of “few more fitting recipients” of support from such organisations than the project championed by Sir David.

The minister also said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is “as much as a fan” as Sir David of “the great Dame Vera”.

He concluded:

"I wish (Sir David) and all those involved the deepest, best wishes in their efforts to raise funds for this commemoration to Dame Vera.

“It sounds like an ambitious and transformative proposal for the south coast, truly befitting Dame Vera.

“I look forward to that moment when her statue looks down from the White Cliffs.”

The memorial will be paid for by donations and public subscription.

The National Trust site in the North Downs is immortalised in one of her most famous songs, The White Cliffs Of Dover.

Her best-known song, We’ll Meet Again, became a hit again last year, when the Queen referenced it in an address to the nation about the coronavirus lockdown.