Clyne War Memorial stalwarts Jim and Kathleen Cunningham lay New Year's wreath at Brora
An East Sutherland community has once again remembered its Fallen at a traditional New Year’s Day wreath laying ceremony.
The Friends of Clyne War Memorial Association (FoCWMA) holds the event on January 1 each year to remember those who lost their lives in armed conflicts.
The ceremony began at 4.30pm with the chimes of the memorial clock. Brora piper Danny Parkin stepped forward at the top of the 20m-high tower to play a lament.
FoCWMA chairman Dr Nick Lindsay then welcomed the crowd of around 150. He gave a special welcome to Mr Parkin and also to Deputy Lieutenant Dawn McKenzie.
Dr Lindsay also thanked marshals John MacLeod, Jim Gunn, John Duncan and Warran Heneghan and other helpers, for their “behind the scenes efforts”.
Well-known local couple Jim and Kathleen Cunningham laid the wreath this year.
In his address, Dr Lindsay said: “Jim has been the keeper of the keys (to the war memorial) for some 25 years, always ensuring that the memorial area looks its best.
“Kathleen, who is stepping down as founder secretary of the Friends of Clyne War Memorial Association, has done all of the unseen graft that has led to the success of the organisation, including all of the administration and organisation for this annual community wreath-laying event.”
Dr Lindsay also announced that he would be stepping down as FoCWMA chairman after 12 years.
“I shall be handing over the reins of this important and very happy committee at our AGM in April, so it is my pleasure to stand here for the last time,” he said.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to have been your chairman since we began in 2012 and I believe we have achieved our objectives of making sure the memorial is kept in good condition and also kept in the minds of the community.
“It is vitally important that we never forget the names of the 80 people who left our village for far off conflicts and never returned and who are commemorated on our memorial."
After the wreath was laid by Mr and Mrs Cunningham, a minute's silence was observed before the Flowers of the Forest was played.
