Banking on garden plan
Remembrance group receives a boost
Plans to create a garden of remembrance in central Cambuslang have taken a massive step forward.
The Cambuslang Remembrance Garden Group is now fully constituted with a registered bank account after first being mooted in the spring of last year.
Initially proposed by Councillor Russell Clearie, who had to step down due to health reasons, the organisation hope to press forward with their plans.
Treasurer Hilda Allison told the Reformer the project would now be delivered in three parts.
The first will see the erection of memorial boards at the war memorial in Cambuslang Park.
These will include the names of all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War.
Two benches will be put in place to allow people visiting to enjoy a rest.
South Lanarkshire Council are supporting the group with financial assistance for the benches which are expected to be in place before this year’s Armistice Day commemorations on November 11.
The actual garden will be at the Toll Pitch, near the Miner’s Wheel. This land was gifted to the group by the council.
A patio area will be created with plaques to those who gave their lives in both world wars and other conflicts.
Plaques will also be put in place to honour Cambuslang’s two Victoria Cross recipients as well as Mark Henderson, who was killed during the Falklands War. Benches will be installed with disabled access included.
Finally, the group hope to design a small booklet with the names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in World War One as well as some poems from a local miner of the era.
The project is expected to cost between £16,000 and £18,000 with fundraising already underway. The committee are now hoping to get other residents involved and anyone wanting to help out is asked to get in touch.
The Toll Pitch site was previously home to two poppy-shaped flower beds for remembrance services in 2014.