Back in pride of place
Vandalised cherry trees replanted in moving ceremony
THE war memorial cherry trees at Loughborough Grammar School, which were destroyed in an act of vandalism which shocked many people in the area, have been replaced with an emotional ceremony marking Remembrance Day.
Last Friday, (November 10), pupils, staff and visitors gathered on the school Quadrangle and observed a minute’s silence to remember the fallen, and were addressed by the headmaster Duncan Byrne and Old Loughburian Admiral Sir Trevor Soar.
The service was made all the more pertinent with the dedication of new war memorial cherry trees.
THE war memorial cherry trees at Loughborough Grammar School, which were destroyed in an act of vandalism which shocked many people in the area, have been replaced with an emotional ceremony marking Remembrance Day.
Last Friday, (November 10), pupils, staff and visitors gathered on the school Quadrangle and observed a minute’s silence to remember the fallen, and were addressed by the headmaster Duncan Byrne and Old Loughburian Admiral Sir Trevor Soar.
The service was made all the more pertinent with the dedication of new war memorial cherry trees.
The trees had been planted by students and staff as a tribute to former pupils who lost their lives in conflict.
The new replacement trees were donated by Coles Nurseries Limited of Leicester.
Mr Byrne thanked the company for their support and generosity.
He said: “All those connected with Loughborough Grammar School were shocked and upset by the mindless vandalism to our Memorial Quad in August.
“However, pupils, staff and alumni are extremely grateful for the moral support shown towards the school by both the Loughborough community and wellwishers from near and far.
“Their solidarity has helped us to appreciate the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts from the Great War to the recent Iraq campaign.”
The act of vandalism last August enraged many people in the area and a public appeal was made in an attempt to catch the culprit.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police told the Echo that no arrests had been made yet and “inquiries are continuing.”