Bench installed at war memorial
Specially designed seating is unveiled
Commemorative seats have been put in place next to the war memorial in Strathaven in time for Armistice Day.
As the public proudly wear poppies, they now also have the chance to remember the heroes from the first and second world wars as they look over Strathaven.
The bench, which was organised with the help of Avondale councillor Margaret Cooper, features the silhouettes of soldiers as well as the bright-red poppies and is positioned next to the war memorial in Strathaven graveyard.
A ceremony to unveil the tribute was led by Pastor David Childs of the Strathaven Evangelical Church, along with Pastor Roddy Gillies of the Outreach Community Church (OCC), Rev Alan Telfer of Avondale and Drumclog Church and Father Tom Devine of St Patrick’s.
Four pupils from Strathaven Academy read two poems and The Last Post and the Reveille were played beautifully on the bugle.
Captain John Brown of the Scots Guards, based at Edinburgh Castle, attended along with Guardsman Crawford and Sergeant Beattie-ash, who were accompanied by a piper, Lance Corporal Grant.
Councillor Cooper offered her thanks to all local groups and communities. “It was a blustery day,” she said. “But that somehow added to the atmosphere.
“Many members of the local community were in attendance and there was also an excellent representation from the military.”
Councillor Cooper added: “This is an excellent example of our town working together to deliver a fantastic memorial and new facilities on Kirkhill to enable people to look around our town and countryside and remember the war dead of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.”