BAE Systems apprentices have designed and built a beautiful Remembrance Bench at Furness College.
Now sitting in the entrance to Barrow’s Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge, the bench is a tribute to those who have given their lives defending our country.
Creating it allowed the first year apprentices to demonstrate the skills they had learned. Apprentice steelworkers Liam Bradford, Cain Evans and Chloe Benson were joined by apprentice caulker Thomas Dodd. The bench was finished off and painted by Team Leader Keith Creamer.
Liam said: “The original idea was Chloe’s and then we were all able to get together as we’d finished our extension tasks. It’s great to see it all painted up in the colours. It’s definitely made to last.”
Scott Wilson, Curriculum Lead for Pipe Fabrication and Welding at Furness College, said: “The idea came from the students, we just provided the material and facilitated it.
“They were able to apply what they’ve been learning. I was all for it and it really kept them engaged. We always prefer it if the extension activity serves a real purpose.”
Ian Lofthouse, who chairs BAE Systems’ Armed Forces Covenant Group, said: “It’s great to have young apprentices involved in something like this. I know they had discussions between them about what they wanted to represent and I’m sure they’ll take a keen interest in Remembrance Day.”
The apprentices say they feel honoured that the bench will eventually be displayed with the Dockside Memorial on BAE Systems – a reminder of the two young Fire Watchers, Thomas Martin Cooke and Christopher Fieldhouse, who lost their lives during the 2nd World War when the crane received a direct hit during an air raid.
