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Two community war memorials on Lewis are the best kept amongst small villages in the Highlands and Islands according to the Royal British Legion Scotland.

 

Monuments to the dead at Uig and in Point have won their  categories in a competition searching for a high standard of care.

 

The Uig memorial, in its commanding position looking beyond the stretching sands at Baile na Cille over the Atlantic, is well maintained in a neat and tidy condition.

 

It has been designated the best-kept in a wide area north of a line

from Fort William to Forres and was only two points off gaining full marks.

 

The Point memorial at Garrabost clinched the top award in the satellite community garden section. The stone walled remembrance garden with its plaques is a quiet haven to commemorate the district’s fallen from the World Wars.

 

Like other Lewis memorials it marks those drowned in the Iolaire disaster when 205 returning servicemen perished as the Admiralty’s yacht struck rocks when entering Stornoway harbour in the early hours of New Years Day 1919.

 

Both island districts now represent the Highlands and Islands in the finals of the contest.

 

Francis Jefferson, who is the President of the Lewis and Harris British Legion is delighted at the accolades achieved by the two island districts.

 

He said: “We cherish the memory of those who died in war and continue to support those who survived ad need help.”

 

He added: “The Legion supports the Poppy appeal first and foremost and the Stornoway branch last year sent donations to the Help the Heroes initiative and to the Erskine Funds. Last tear about £3000 was collected.”

 

Mr Jefferson also designed and projected managed the Point monument which was built after a local fundraising appeal just five years ago.

 

With its shrubbery and gardens as well as its walled enclosure - build from stones of old traditional thatched blackhouses from six Point villages - a lot of work is required to keep it tidy.

 

Mr Jefferson said this was due to the dedication of local volunteers: “It shows people go there and care for it.”

 

 

 

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Island war memorials win first class praise        2/8/10

Francis Jefferson at the Point Memorial