On Saturday, 19 August, the unveiling ceremony of two granite plaques took place at the walled flower bed next to the Spennymoor town centre war memorial on Cheapside.
The plaques, one in recognition of all the men and women from the the Spennymoor parish town area who are veterans of the British Armed Forces and the second is to complement the town’s war memorial with the Exhortation from the Act of Remembrance inscribed on it, and is for all those from the Spennymoor parish town area who lost their lives in war whilst serving in the British Armed Forces. The plaques were designed by Councillor Pete Molloy and purchased from his Towns and Villages Budget.
Cllr Molloy said: “It is right that we honour our war dead with memorials, so they are not forgotten, and I think it is right to acknowledge those men and women from our community that were prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice for their country. That is why I also got a granite plaque for the veterans.”
Unveiling the veterans granite plaque was Deputy Lieutenant Major (retired) Chris Lawton MBE, acting on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant and the Exhortation plaque was Mrs Elaine Hutchinson, mother of the late Private Dean Hutchinson, who lost his life in 2011 whilst serving in Afghanistan.
Addressing those that had attended the event, Major (retired) Lawton MBE said, “Today we are recognising and remembering the service, courage and sacrifice made by our Armed Forces personnel. It is a time to reflect on those who have been lost in our country’s wars and conflicts, and on just how much we owe them. Also, we honour all those who served and came home, and those who still serve.
“I would like to thank Councillor Molloy for all you have achieved to make this Memorial service happen with your staff and I would like to thank Elaine Hutchinson, the mother of the late Private Dean Hutchinson, who will soon unveil a second Memorial to all our servicemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice. And most of all I would like to thank those from this Parish who are still serving and our Veterans who have served Queen, now King and Country.”
The standard bearers lowered their flags as the Last Post was sounded by bugler and Green Howards veteran, Bob Purvis, to start the two minute silence, which ended with the sounding of Reveille.
On being presented with the Union flag from Cllr Molloy as a keepsake, Mrs Hutchinson said, “It was honour to be asked to unveil one of the plaques and was a very proud family moment too.”
Cllr Molloy added: “I would like to thank Major Lawton and Mrs Hutchinson for unveiling the plaques, the Chair of Durham County Council Councillor Joan Nicholson for attending and both DCC’s Clean and Green and STC’s Grounds and Estates team for preparing the area for the unveiling.”
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
