For the past five or six years, Terry Evans has been creating impressive Remembrance displays outside his home in Findern. What started as a small display featuring camouflage netting and painted bottle bases resembling poppies has grown into an increasingly elaborate tribute, with new elements added each year.
The display, now a well-known community feature, is entirely Terry's creation. He designs, builds, and assembles it himself annually, continually adding new ideas. His brother has assisted with some individual pieces, such as the rifles, but the project is driven by Terry's dedication.
As an ex-serviceman, Terry's displays hold deep personal meaning. Having lost friends during his service, he views the tribute as a way of honouring their memory. The collection of flags within the display also belongs to Terry, reflecting his strong connection to the armed forces.
Creating the display is a significant undertaking, requiring considerable time and effort. Recent storms presented challenges, with Terry working to keep the display intact. He described his bungalow as having become "like a boarding house" as various figures awaited assembly.
One of the most time-consuming elements was the figure with its head bowed, which required extensive cutting, modification, and rebuilding to achieve the desired realistic look, with fully movable fingers and joints.
Despite the hard work, Terry finds great pleasure in creating the displays and witnessing the enjoyment they bring to the community. Becky, a Careline Support Coordinator, was impressed by the tribute during her rounds and learned about the story behind it.
With this year's tribute complete, Terry is already contemplating ideas for next year's display. South Derbyshire District Council extends its thanks to Terry for his dedication and for creating such a meaningful tribute.
