The Portrait Benches project commemorates local heroes nominated by their communities by immortalising them as life-sized steel figures. You'll find them on National Cycle Network routes across the UK. This latest iteration of the project is in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Portrait Bench figures can be found on National Cycle Network routes all across the UK.
As part of the Portrait Benches project, we're celebrating AFC Bournemouth fan and ambassador John 'Nonny' Garard alongside Dr Jane Goodall DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace.
The National Cycle Network runs from Poole Harbour to Bournemouth on Route 25, passing iconic spots such as Bournemouth Gardens to reach the seafront.
You can walk, wheel or cycle along the majority of these seven miles of golden sand using National Route 2.
Route 2 skirts England's south coast.
Travel west to explore the stunning Jurassic Coast, or go east to Boscombe, Hengistbury Head and into the New Forest National Park, famous for its wildlife, ancient woodlands and rolling hills.
Explore the National Cycle Network
Find walking, wheeling and cycling routes near youCelebrating Bournemouth's local heroes
John 'Nonny' Garard
Nonny was born on 17th June 1970.
Following AFC Bournemouth from a young age, he grew to become the club’s number one fan.
A larger-than-life character, he was best known for leading chants of 'Red Army' both home and away.
Nonny was born deaf and had a degenerative eye condition.
He used his experience to support other members of the disabled community, working with AFC Bournemouth to help them improve accessibility at the club.
Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and passed away shortly after.
Dr Jane Goodall DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace
Dr Jane Goodall is a world-renowned ethologist and conservationist inspiring greater understanding and action on behalf of the natural world.
Dr Goodall is known for her ground-breaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, which forever changed our understanding of our relationship to the rest of the animal kingdom.
She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 and there are now 25 Institutes around the world, including here in the UK.
The Institute's free Roots & Shoots programme, with groups in Bournemouth and across the UK, empowers young people of all ages to become involved in projects making a difference to their local communities, animals and the environment.