New art display on Salisbury Plain warns about the dangers of military land
The artwork, near Bratton was commissioned for the Ministry of Defence's Respect the Range campaign.
Giant silhouettes of soldiers are being used to educate the public about the dangers of accessing military land.
Standing over the Wiltshire hillside, the installation features 10ft-high silhouette ‘giants’ modelled on soldiers from 5 Rifles - which conducts military training on nearby Salisbury Plain – alongside figures representing members of the public.
Designed by the Standing With Giants charity, the artwork is to raise awareness of the MOD’s Respect The Range campaign.
Military training is vital to ready the UK Armed Forces for operations throughout the world. Over two thirds of the MOD’s land is held for training, and last year alone saw thousands of incidents in which the public accessed the Defence training estate when and where they shouldn’t have. This meant hundreds of ‘near misses’ where training was interrupted due to a serious safety risk to the public or the military.
Brigadier Gavin Hatcher CBE, Head of the Defence Training Estate, said:
At a time of heightened tensions across the globe, war in Europe and conflict in the Middle East, it’s imperative that our military undertake crucial training safely and uninterrupted. Where permitted, the public can access and enjoy the unique and varied MOD estate, but only when and where it is safe for them to do so, and always with caution.
Military training can take place round-the-clock and MOD land can go from calm to combat at a moment’s notice. By working together, we can ensure the public and our military keep each other safe.
Dan Barton, CEO Standing with Giants said:
We’re incredibly proud to work with the MOD to promote Respect the Range. Our ethos is about honouring and respecting those who have and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice. The freedoms we enjoy were hard fought for, and our military need to train to ensure those freedoms remain.
The public are being reminded that they should only access military training areas when and where it is safe to do so and should exercise caution at all times. To help keep themselves and their loved ones safe, the MOD is asking the public to follow these simple steps:
Look out for red flags and observe all signs and information.
Check live firing and training times online at GOV.UK before visiting a military training area.
Stick to footpaths, bridleways, byways and Public Rights of Way.
Keep dogs under close control and pick up after them.
Never touch any military debris (UXO), report these for safe removal.
The public art installation can be found adjacent to the Westbury White Horse in Wiltshire, and will remain in place for 4 weeks.