A Dumfries war memorial will be transformed to mark two special centenaries later this year.
The revamp of Maxwelltown War Memorial, on New Abbey Road, will be a joint effort between local residents, schools, community groups and the council to mark 100 years of the Royal British Legion and the local Dumfries and Maxwelltown branch.
It will see the grass areas behind the monument, depicting a soldier with outstretched arms, transformed into a sea of colour with flowers. Local resident, and former councillor, Tom McAughtrie said: “We started this with the Troqueer Tenants Residents Association and the council last year before Covid hit.
“The centenary of the Royal British Legion, and the local branch here, is this year. Hopefully we will get this set up and we can make it as easy to maintain as possible for the council’s gardener Brian McAvennie and the volunteers.
“We want something that looks nice, isn’t overboard and is fitting for a war memorial.”
The Veterans Garden Dumfries will help out with the project along with the council and communty groups.
Archie Dryburgh, the council’s armed forces champion, said: “Tom McAughtrie takes an interest in this area and is really leading the charge. The plan is to do up the surrounding area around the war memorial with flower beds and panels. It would be a great place for people to go and chat.
“We’re hoping to get local primary schools like Troqueer and Laurieknowe involved.”
The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, offering support to veterans and their families.
