About nine years ago the Coundon Bloom Team became especially active across the Coundon and Leeholme communities. With the centenary of the First World War looming, I and a group of Bloom volunteers set out to reclaim a neglected, overgrown parcel of land and transform it into a memorial garden to honour those who served.
We cleared the site, removing brambles and detritus, and planted three blossom trees—each chosen to represent one of the armed services: the Navy, the Army and the Air Force. An eight-metre rose bed was laid out to provide a lasting floral tribute. As part of the scheme a new St James Church sign was provided and erected. The whole project was funded and realised through the generosity of local people: football clubs organised fundraising events, allotment holders supplied seasonal bedding plants, and local tradesmen and volunteers donated materials, time and expertise.
Two eye-catching, six-foot silhouette soldiers were designed and constructed by Mr Charlie Devlin, while Mr Johnny Prangie mixed and poured the concrete footings for the bench and the memorial stone. A three-seat wooden bench was donated by the family in Canada of our founding Bloom member, Mrs Joan Hall, who had sadly passed away; their gift provided a fitting place for rest and reflection.
The Bishop Auckland Branch of the Durham Light Infantry Association became involved and helped secure a modest grant through Councillor Michael Ramage. Two members of the DLI branch, Mr Kevin Blackmore and Mr Lionel Ames, were tasked with selecting a suitable memorial stone; they chose a piece from a nearby quarry and arranged for it to be cut and dressed to the required specifications. When the stone arrived, branch volunteers physically manoeuvred it into its prepared setting, completing that part of the installation through sheer effort and teamwork.
At midday on Sunday 17 May a Dedication Service was held, led by Father Gary Nicholson. On parade were members of the Durham Light Infantry Association, buglers and standard bearers, representatives of the SAAFI Association, local Durham councillors and many residents from Coundon, Leeholme and the surrounding villages, all gathered to witness the dedication.
Today the garden endures as a tangible community legacy: a tranquil spot where people can sit on the bench, reflect quietly and privately honour those who fell. The area stands as a testament to local determination, collective remembrance and the goodwill of neighbours who came together to create something meaningful for future generations.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
