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New Commemorative Plaque Unveiled in Alnwick

25th Jul 2024

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A new plaque has been unveiled at the Duke's Memorial Cottages in Pottergate, replacing the original inscription that had become illegible due to weathering.

Addressing people who had gathered for the ceremony the Duke said “On 7th May 1949 my father stood here to unveil this plaque when the ghastly memory of war and sacrifice was still extremely raw. His elder brother, George, had been killed in his prime, nine years earlier, fighting against overwhelming odds in Belgium but ‘Ladies and gentlemen’ as my father stated in his speech, ‘that is only one story of many similar in which the sons of Alnwick fought nobly and died bravely on far off battlefields or as prisoners in a foreign land.”

“These cottages were built as a fitting memorial to these men as something which, to that wartime generation, contained within it the promise of continuing life, and in the 75 years since the unveiling, generations of children have grown up in these houses  hopefully fulfilling the wish of my father and all involved in the original project, that those children and all the children of Alnwick would forever remember, with gratitude, the example of these soldiers.”

“Seventy-five years of Northumbrian weather took its toll on the old plaque and thanks to Chrissy Watson, one of the cottage residents, its deterioration was flagged up and work has been carried out under the auspices of Robin Smeaton to replace it.”

“Jo Crossland from Berwick has carved this plaque beautifully and it has been installed, free of charge, by Historic Property Restoration Ltd who have been working on various projects at the castle for many years.”

“Funding was provided by Northumberland Estates Community Fund with financial support from Councillor Gordon Castle via his County Council Members Local Improvement Scheme fund.”

The Mayor Alnwick, Councillor Geoff Watson, commented “This is a lovely little corner of Alnwick and I’m delighted that people will now be able to read the plaque and recognise the area as a memorial. The grounds are beautifully maintained by Alnwick in Bloom, there is the statue of Harry Hotspur, beautiful trees and seats provided by the Town Council. All of these combine to offer a little oasis of calm and quiet in the historic town centre.”

 

Photo by Jane Coltman.