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The Friends Of Turriff Cemetery are asking people to dig deep for one of the town's war memorials.


By Kirsty Brown

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As work on the World War One memorial arch got underway recently it became apparent that some of the stonework is significantly more damaged than originally thought, meaning that the group are now looking for a further £5,000 to be able to complete the work.

In partnership with the Turriff branch of Legion Scotland, the group had been able to raise over £8,000 - through grants, including a 50% grant from War Memorials Trust, donations and fundraising activities - to allow the work to go ahead on both of the War Memorials situated beside Turriff Cemetery.

Work was completed on the World War Two memorial ahead of Armistice Sunday, however it was feared that restoration work on the archway - a much larger undertaking - would see the memorial still wrapped in scaffolding for the town's annual remembrance parade and so work was postponed until late November.

As the full level of deterioration in the arch was not identified until restoration work was ready to begin the additional funding required to cover the work was not originally anticipated, causing a major setback.

It soon became apparent that more extensive work than originally anticipated would be required. Picture: Kirsty Brown
It soon became apparent that more extensive work than originally anticipated would be required. Picture: Kirsty Brown

Explaining, Friends Of Turriff Cemetery's vice-chairman Morag Lightning said: "Unfortunately, upon closer inspection whilst starting the restoration and cleaning work of the WW1 memorial arch, our stone mason has identified some damaged stonework, and these will need to be replaced or repaired at some point in the near future.

"We feel that as they are there now it makes sense to do everything in one go.

"This means that the £8200 we have raised to date only covers the initial restoration work, and we will need around £5000 extra to cover these costs."

To help them find the deficit the group are now appealing for support from the community and visitors to the cemetery from further afield.

The group are very grateful for all of the donations received and all of the support which they have received to date, and are asking both individuals and businesses to dig deep and consider donating any spare pennies towards saving the memorial.

Continuing Morag said: "Luckily, we received our Co-op Local Community Fund recently awarded us just over £1100 so we have set this aside for this work and we have asked the public if anyone would be able to donate any spare pennies they have for this cause.

"As a committee, we all feel that this remembrance arch is a huge part of Turriff’s history and we want to afford our war dead the respect and honour they deserve."

Anybody who wishes to donate towards the restoration work can do so via PayPal by visiting the fundraising link: paypal.me/FoTCWW1, or donations can be given to members of the committee.


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