Town service marks dedication of Oban’s Garden of Remembrance

THE OBAN Garden of Remembrance was dedicated on Saturday afternoon, with a short service led by Rev Ian McFarlane of the town’s Baptist Church.

Mr McFarlane is also Chaplain to the Oban branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and a former RAF chaplain. Graham MacQueen, depute Lord Lieutenant, placed a cross during the service.

Vice chairman of the Legion in Oban, Ian Blair Simmonds, also spoke and piper Tamara Campbell played during a minute’s tribute.

Branch secretary Marjory Gilmour said: ‘This is a very appropriate place for the Garden of Remembrance, on George Street, in the centre of town and we are grateful to Argyll and Bute Council for giving this large flower bed and clearing the perimeter for people to place crosses in memory of their loved ones. The red flowers make a beautiful backdrop to all the poppies. The tall poppies were placed by the Legion; and each one represents a name on the town’s war memorial.’

The TS Pharos 635 Oban Sea Cadets and the 2521 Oban High School Air Training Corps were on parade for the service and the youngsters then went on to sell poppies in the town centre.

As well as Remembrance Sunday’s formal service at the town’s war memorial, there will be a short informal service at 11am on November 11 at the Garden of Remembrance.

17_t45poppy03 SMART: Air Training Corps members and Oban Sea Cadets were on parade at the remembrance garden dedication service.

17_t45poppy02 SOLEMN: Graham MacQueen places a cross.

17_t45poppy05 FUNDRAISERS: Air Training Corp were selling poppies: Corporal Martin Hendricksen, Cadet Duncan Turner and Cadet Alexander Hardie.

17_t45poppy01 DEDICATION: piper Tamara Campbell, Graham MacQueen and Rev Ian McFarlane.