Memorial benches gifted to Inverness cenotaph by local Rotary clubs
THREE memorial benches have been inaugurated with a moving ceremony at the war memorial in Cavell Gardens.
The metal seats bearing the inscription Lest We Forget, were commissioned for £3500 by the city’s four Rotary clubs to mark the centenary of the city’s oldest one, Inverness Rotary Club, and as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the Armed Forces.
Inverness contributed to the cost along with the other three clubs – Loch Ness, Inverness/Culloden and Riverside.
The ceremony on Tuesday morning was conducted by the Rev Canon Dr John Cuthbert padre to the Inverness Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) and the Rev Bill Buchan, both Rotarians.
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael, who attended along with Highland Council’s Inverness city manager David Haas, addressed the gathering and spoke of the good work that is carried out by Rotary clubs.
There was also a sizeable group of armed forces veterans and Rotarians in attendance along with a small group of public.
The RBLS branch paraded its colours with standard bearers Joe Davidson and Bill Dingwall, and their Pipe Major Gordon Straube played a lament to the fallen.
Bugler Private Saul Bruce, of 3 Battalion the Black Watch, played the Last Post. It was particularly apt he was invited as a previous member of Inverness Army Cadets.
Roddy Wood, a founding member of Inverness/Culloden Rotary, who was one of the organisers said: “It was an excellent ceremony and a fitting way to mark Inverness Rotary Club’s big birthday.”
