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A unique reproduction Spitfire will act as a striking symbol of the bravery and sacrifice of those who have served in conflicts past and present this Remembrance Sunday.
Durham County Council has arranged for the only hand-built, full-size reproduction Spitfire MK IX aircraft to go on display in Millennium Place in Durham City from 9am to 2pm on Sunday 9 November.
First built in the 1930s, the iconic Supermarine Spitfire played a critical role in defeating Luftwaffe air attacks during the Battle of Britain in 1940, which saw 1,542 aircrew killed and 422 wounded.
With 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Durham County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Andrew Harrison, was keen to do something special to mark the milestones this Remembrance Day.
And, with the support of Squadron Leader (Retired) James A Cowan MBE and Simply Spitfire, the council was able to secure the reproduction fighter aircraft as a fitting tribute.
The Spitfire display will feature on the route of Durham City’s annual Remembrance Parade, which takes place between 10am and noon that morning.
It is just one of the ways the local authority is commemorating Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance Day this year, with key buildings and landmarks also being lit up and themed tours being staged at its culture, heritage and registration venue, The Story.
Organised by the City of Durham Parish Council, the Remembrance Parade will see hundreds of serving members of the Armed Forces march through the city, led by the Band of Band and Bugles of Durham Army Cadet Force and The Rifles – the proud descendants of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI).
The parade will march through the Market Place at approximately 11.20am, where Dame Susan Snowdon, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Durham, will take the Salute. It will then proceed past the replica Spitfire at Millennium Place.
Durham Cathedral will also be holding a Remembrance Sunday Service at 10.15am. This will be attended by invited service personnel and veterans, but several hundred seats will be available for members of the public on a first come/first serve basis. Those who wish to attend are advised to arrive in good time and should aim to be seated by 9.45am.
Elsewhere in the county, communities are hosting a range of Remembrance events - from traditional wreath-laying ceremonies and church services to community parades and moments of silence. Details of events can be found at Durham County Council's website.
In a further act of remembrance, Durham County Council will be lighting up key landmarks. The Tommy statue in Seaham will be illuminated and a poppy will be projected on to County Hall in Aykley Heads on the evenings of Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November. Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Durham Town Hall and The Story on the outskirts of Durham City will be illuminated on the evenings of Friday 7 to Tuesday 11 November.
At The Story, visitors will be able to join free Remembrance Day Spotlight Tours at 11.30am and 2.30pm on Tuesday 11 November. The tours will feature objects and archives from The Story’s collections, including the DLI Collection and Archive.
Visitors can also create their own poppies using origami techniques, while those unable to attend the venue will be able to watch a video about North East soldiers who fought across the globe on The Story’s Facebook page.
For more information about The Story, visit www.thestorydurham.org.
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