A group of volunteers determined to improve a north-east cemetery yesterday unveiled their latest efforts.
Friends of Turriff Cemetery formed last November after years of concern about the appearance of the town’s burial grounds, spearheaded by the late Press and Journal farming editor Joe Watson.
Since then, a committee headed by Mr Watson’s brother, Fraser, has been formed with other like-minded volunteers giving up their time to ensure the grounds are a comfortable place for others to come and pay their respects.
Yesterday, they put in place the first of six benches which have been bought and paid for by the goodwill of local people and groups.
Margaret Lightning, the vice-chairwoman of the cemetery group, said former first minister Alex Salmond had thrown his support behind the group.
The Mary Salmond Trust, set up following Mr Salmond’s mother’s death in 2003, had pledged £500 towards the friends’ effort to install benches at the cemetery.
Mrs Lightning said: “They gave us £500 to buy a bench and hollow out some stumps at the ground.
“And through other donations we’ve bought six benches in total, although not all have been unveiled yet.”
Mrs Lightning is also the group’s treasurer and yesterday said that the benches were just one aspect of the continued improvements being made at the burial ground.
Since forming, local tradesmen have been offering their services to carry out repairs and help where they can with projects.
“We’ve also been lucky in that we’ve been given a grant from the council,” she added.
“That bought us two leaf vacuums and another one on wheels which has turned a day’s work of cleaning up the cemetery into just a few hours.
“Now that people can see that we’re here to stay, more people are willing to offer their help.”
Anyone interested in joining the Friends of Turriff Cemetery is encouraged to e-mail friendsofturriffcemetery@gmail.com
