STUDENTS are to create sand drawings on East Looe Beach this weekend to commemorate the people of Looe who took part in the Falklands conflict.

On the 40th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, Looe Royal British Legion have commissioned BA (Hons) Extended Degree students from Plymouth College of Art to create a sand drawing of the Falkland Islands on East Looe Beach on Saturday (April 2) to commemorate the men of Looe who took part in the conflict.

Weather permitting, the sand drawing will be carried out by Plymouth College of Art students from the university-sector art school’s BA (Hons) Extended Degrees.

There will also be a two-minute silence at 11am to remember all who served in the conflict and especially those that never returned home to their families. Seven members of Looe Royal British Legion Branch were involved in the conflict which started on April 2, 1982.

A spokesman from the Royal British Legion said: “The Falklands War was the first military action since the Second World War that utilised all elements of the Armed Forces plus the invaluable contribution by the British Merchant Navy.

“The conflict lasted 74 days, during which seven ships were lost to enemy action, nine aircraft were shot down, and 255 British personnel lost their lives. Their names are all inscribed on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

“There are veterans of the Falklands conflict who still struggle with physical and mental scars, and some have faced life challenges or hardships since then. The Royal British Legion remains committed to ensuring that service and sacrifice in more recent conflicts is recognised and that all generations of the Armed Forces community know the RBL is here to support them, for life.”

Helen Markes, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Extended BA (Hons) degrees at Plymouth College of Art, said: “Students from Plymouth College of Art work have worked annually with the East Looe Town Trust for over a decade, most often creating sand sculptures on the beach in September as an induction activity for students new to the college, giving them the opportunity to collaborate in one of the South West’s most vibrant and beautiful coastal settings. I’m always grateful for the warm welcome that Looe extends to our students and staff.”

As the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the heart of a network that is there to support members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

The Extended BA programme at Plymouth College of Art is for people who want to pursue a creative degree but feel like they might not yet have acquired the experience and range of skills necessary to succeed in Higher Education.

This four-year route offers an exploratory year, allowing students to develop their insight into a range of art, design and media skills and approaches, before progressing onto a specialist degree. The Extended BA environment is dynamic and supportive, helping students to discover their passions and strengths within the creative arts, whilst building academic confidence, purpose and direction.