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Folkestone Armistice centenary project by Danny Boyle draws hundreds to the beach

By: Angela Cole

Published: 13:30, 11 November 2018

Updated: 17:26, 06 November 2022

Hundreds of people turned out in Folkestone to join a special Armistice centenary celebration.

Artists from Sand in Your Eye were out at around 3.30am etching the portrait of Wilfred Owen on Sunny Sands beach, an idea thought up by director Danny Boyle as part of the 14-18 Now, Pages of the Sea tribute.

Despite blustery conditions, they created the portrait on the beach as hundreds of people gathered to see it.

Wilfred Owen's portrait on the beach at Folkestone

Staff also gave out hundreds of copies of a poem by Carol Ann Duffy, each with a picture of a different serviceman on it.

Although showers had hampered the project in the early hours, as 11am approached the sun came out so all could see the portrait and watch as the tide slowly washed it away.

Danny Boyle had chosen the beach and Wilfred Owen as Kent's portrait, as he had left for France from there in the First World War - his last sight of home. He was killed in the last week of the war, during the battle to cross the Sambre-Oise canal at Ors on November 4, 1918.

Wilfred Owen's portrait on the beach. Picture: Getty Images/ Chris J Ratcliffe

The two minutes' silence was also observed by those who attended, many bringing children and dogs to the informal celebration of servicemen and women in the war. The project was carried out in conjunction with the Creative Foundation in Folkestone. Alastair Upton from the foundation said he was overwhelmed by how many people had turned out for the event.

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