SKARES has its own war memorial again just in time for Remembrance Sunday.

It’s thanks to the efforts of local man William Corson who dedicated himself to reinstating the memorial commemorating the men from the village who gave their lives during both of the World Wars.

The original plaque was located in theVillage Hall - but it has been mounted in Cumnock’s Old Church in The Square since the hall was demolished in the 1950s.

However, the dedicated work of William and others finally saw the installation of the new memorial, designed and built by Russell Brooks of Ayrshire Memorials.

Mr Brooks, wearing his other professional hat as a minister, officially dedicated the memorial in a special service in front of more than 50 people in the village.

William Corson said: “It has been a project that has been on the go for a number of years now and it’s brilliant that we’ve finally completed it.

“It’s really looking well and it’s an important thing for the names to be back where they belong in the village.

“I originally got in touch about moving the first plaque from the church back to the village but that wasn’t possible.

“But Russell at Ayrshire Memorials has done a fantastic job and the area is really looking well.” The area surrounding the memorial, near the village’s play park, has also benefited from being spruced up.

Included are two new benches, designed around the twin pillars of Skares’ history - farming and mining.

The dedication service featured a speech from William, a reading by Russell Brooks and a moving version of the Ode of Remembrance shared by British Legion chair David Russell and William’s 10-year-old grandson Jake.

The Skares Group would like to thank a number of individuals and organisations for helping deliver the memorial and surrounding area.

These include, Crawford Sloan for gifting the land to the village, Barr Environmental’s Landfill Communities Fund and the Minerals Trust for funding the project.

Also Barr Construction for carrying out the groundwork, David Ogilvy who designed and installed the planters, noticeboard and benches, Reverend Russell Brooks who designed and fitted the memorial, Councillor Billy Crawford and David Russell for assisting the group on procedures for the dedication ceremony.

They would also like to thank Jim Campbell and Erin Campbell for piping and bugling respectively at the service.

A small remembrance service will take place at the memorial and wreaths will be laid this Sunday, November 10.