Tribute toPolish deadgets facelift

A war memorial in Rossshire, built by Polish soldiers using stone from the local beach, has been given a facelift.

The memorial was erected in Invergordon in 1947 to commemorate Polish military personnel who lost their lives in WWII. Poles fought alongside British forces during the war, and many were trained and stationed in Scotland, including Invergordon.

Stonemasons have now repaired the memorial’s brickwork, cleaned its surrounding stonework and repainted the lettering.

And a dozen offenders carrying out unpaid work as an alternative to a prison sentence also helped out with the restoration project.

“Iamsopleased thismemorial isgoingtobe lookingitsbest”

Cromarty Firth councillor Maxine Smith said: “I and my fellow ward members, councillors Mike Finlayson, Pauline Munro and Carolyn Wilson are delighted to see the Polish Memorial spruced up and looking so good in time for its Remembrance Service.

“It’s also good for offenders on community payback to carry out interesting work and hopefully learn new skills that will help those not in work to get a job.”

The memorial has a very special place in the local community. A remembrance service is held there every year, one week later than the other remembrance day services.

Vanda Hardy ( nee Zawinski), whose father was one of those who built the monument, said: “I am so pleased this special memorial is going to be looking its best in time for the Polish Memorial and remembrance service – Czesc Ich Pamieci – which will be held on Sunday, November 19, at 2pm.

“All are welcome to come along.”