Ayr beach part of UK wide tribute marking 100 years since the end of the First World War

Ayr Beach is one of the six locations in Scotland taking part in a project by film director, Danny Boyle marking the centenary of the end of the First World War.

This Sunday, 11 November 2018, hundreds will gather at the shore in remembrance for the men and women who left their home shores during the First World War.

Each event centres around the drawing of a large-scale portrait of someone who lost their life in the conflict with a connection to the local community.

The image on Ayr beach will be of Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British Army. He trained here in Ayrshire before going on to find fame as a one of Britain’s first black footballers. His brother, Edward, was also Britain’s first registered Black dentist

Robbie Gordon, Creative Learning Coordinator at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr will be leading a team of volunteers and Ayrshire College students to create his portrait in the sand.

He says, "There are some amazing stories being told through the portraits and I think a face just says so much.

"It's a chance to remember those who gave up their futures so we could have ours. It feels like a time that we should really be thinking about how we treat each other and about conflict in general."

The artists will start creating the image around 4am on Sunday morning and hope to complete it by 8am. The public is then being encouraged to come down and pay tribute and there is also the chance to create other portraits using specially designed stencils.

South Ayrshire Provost and Veterans' Champion, Councillor Helen Moonie, said: "The 14-18 NOW Pages of the Sea commemoration on Ayr beach will be a moving and stunning tribute to the people and places of Ayrshire as we mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. Ayr beach will provide the perfect backdrop for individuals, families, friends and communities to come together and remember all those who gave their lives not just in this conflict, but on many battlefields since.

"I know the people of Ayrshire will get behind this project, take part in the workshops and come along to the beach on 11 November to show that we will never forget and that the sacrifices made for us will stay in our hearts and minds forever."

More information about the project can be found here.