Time for another note from the Plaque Team. With only a few new sponsorship requests in the winter months following
the ceremony in November 2023, we decided to forego our usual trip to install plaques in the Spring. However, we are delighted to report that new sponsorship requests soon gathered pace, and by the time we set off towards the end of June, we had 30 new plaques to lay, as well as a few replacements for worn or damaged plaques. Fortunately, the weather was kind, and we managed to get everything done in time for 1 July. Yet again, we must pay tribute to the work that has been done in restoring the walkway that makes it so simple for us now that we no longer have to work around steps!
This time we’re including a photo of the point we have reached with laying new plaques, close to the Empty Chair (with thanks to our “house photographer”, Mr Hedley Basford LRPS). Prior to the restoration work, there were quite a few places (e.g. steps) that prevented the fitting of plaques. Now that the walkway is being redesigned with no such “obstacles” to easy access for all, there are no such constraints to where we can fit the plaques, which increases significantly the number of “vacant” ends of walkway boards – and that means more opportunities to sponsor a new plaque and by doing so, to continue to support the restoration work. It would be great to have even more plaques to fit in November.
And now, an appeal from us. The four of us in the Plaque Team have had the most amazing and rewarding time over the past six years or so since we took on the tasks of liaising with sponsors, then ordering and fitting the plaques. It is an honour to hear some of the “stories behind the plaques”, and to learn how much it means to sponsors, their friends and their families when they see “their plaque” in place. But time and tide and all that, and with only one of us under 70 – and that not by much – we are looking for our successors. We’re starting the search now to ensure a smooth transition to a new team of volunteers. Would you like to take on this challenge, or do you know someone who would? Or would you just like to find out a little more about what is involved? If so, just send us a message at plaques@lochnagarcrater.org
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