Wins for Moray war memorials

BOTH Forres and Lossiemouth picked up national titles in Edinburgh today for their well-kept war memorials.

The towns were up against nearly 100 others at Legion Scotland’s annual Best Kept War Memorial event. The seven winners were announced during a ceremony at Edinburgh Council City Chambers.

Forres claimed the "Large Community with Gardens" award while Lossiemouth took the "Memorial without Gardens" title.

The competition aims to raise public awareness of war memorials and to encourage a high standard of maintenance by local authorities.

Legion Scotland chief executive Dr Claire Armstrong said: "We congratulate all of today’s winners as well as all of the other war memorials that entered this year’s competition. The standard we have seen in 2019 has been nothing short of outstanding. The continued interest in the Best Kept War Memorial competition and the countless hours dedicated to their upkeep underlines that remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country remains as important and relevant as ever.

"The competition creates a huge number of benefits for local communities, including team spirit, camaraderie and addressing social isolation – an issue which can be especially prevalent among veterans. It also raises awareness among the younger generation of the sacrifices made by their local forebears and the continued relevance of remembrance today."

Veterans Minister Graeme Dey said: "War memorials are places of remembrance – a lasting tribute to our fallen servicemen and servicewomen who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedoms.

"Indeed, every war memorial in Scotland stands as a constant reminder of how much we all owe our veterans and their families, past and present."

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