Lowestoft's Britten as a Boy fundraiser passes halfway point

By Shannon Eustace

BBC News, Suffolk

A campaign has raised half the money needed for a statue commemorating Benjamin Britten.

Britten as a Boy is a community project aiming to erect a statue of the composer in Lowestoft. 

It has raised £60,000, which is over half of the estimated £110,000 needed for the life-size bronze sculpture. 

Zeb Soanes, vice-chair of the project, said he hoped the statue would be "inspiring to local children".

Benjamin Britten was born in 1913 and became one of Britain's most famous composers. 

According to Mr Soanes, Britten's talent was spotted aged 14 by composer Frank Bridge, who encouraged his musical career. 

For this reason, the project committee decided the statue should represent Britten as a young boy. 

"We thought that would be inspiring to local children, that they can achieve their ambition," said Mr Soanes. 

Designed by sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley, the statue is being funded by individuals, trusts, and fundraising events organised by the project.

Zeb Soanes described Benjamin Britten as the "town's greatest son"

Most recently a concert held at Wigmore Hall, London, raised £20,000 towards the statue.

"We're encouraging people to wear blue on what have been Benjamin Britten's 110th birthday on 22 November and there's going to be a folk night at the Players Theatre in Lowestoft on Saturday 25 November," said Mr Soanes.

The statue will be placed on the seafront, near the composer's childhood home on Kirkley Cliff Road. 

It is hoped that it will be installed by 2025 and will be dedicated to the children of Lowestoft. 

"It's about encouraging children in the town. Whatever your dream is, if you work hard you can achieve it," said Mr Soanes.

"Being made of bronze, it will last for 1,000 years."