A team of volunteers who work to keep a north-east war memorial looking its best have had their efforts recognised nationally.
Fyvie War Memorial has been named as one of the best kept in the country by veterans charity Legion Scotland, for the second year running.
This year, the trophy will be dedicated to Fyvie Legion Scotland volunteer Barbara Cruickshank, in recognition of her work to keep the monument looking its best.
The 68-year-old, who died earlier last month, was heavily involved with the branch’s women’s section and worked with husband Ian to not only maintain the memorial, but improve it.
John Mackenzie, chairman of the branch, paid tribute to Mrs Cruickshank, as well as the volunteers who stepped in to help with the work when she fell ill earlier this year.
He said: “The volunteers all work so hard, painting and glossing it and the two people who do the flowers also do an excellent job.
“Barbara would be thrilled we’ve won again, she went down to pick up the trophy last year with her husband Ian.
“I’d especially like to thank Isabel and Leslie Florence for the beautiful floral work next to the monument, and Aberdeenshire Council for providing the plants. I’d also like to thank Ian and Barbara Cruickshank for their incredible hard work in helping to maintain and improve the monument.”
Like many towns and villages, Fyvie erected a monument to commemorate the lives lost on the battlefield during World War I. The village, which has a population of about 500 today, lost 67 of its young men during the battle, and their names were subsequently joined by those who died in World War II.
The monument was named as the best kept memorial without gardens in Legion Scotland’s 40th annual Best Kept War Memorial’s competition.
Kevin Gray, chief executive officer of the charity, said he had been pleased to see the high standard of entries this year, adding: “We look forward to a continued high standard of maintenance of war memorials over the coming years. As 2014 is the centenary of the start of World War I we feel that this year’s competition is particularly poignant as the vast majority of names on war memorials are from the World War I.”
Mr Mackenzie will travel to the charity’s headquarters in Edinburgh on Wednesday to pick up the trophy.