The community is being invited to participate in creating a living memorial to the men lost in the sinking of the HMY Iolaire.
This year is the 100th anniversary of the tragedy when the Admiralty yacht sank on the Beasts of Holm at the entrance to Stornoway harbour less than two hours into New Year’s Day, 1919.
201 naval men returning home at the end of WW1 drowned in sight of home.
With trees supplied by the Woodland Trust, and additional support from the Stornoway Trust, and Point and Sandwick Trust, the avenue leading to the Lewis War Memorial will be lined with a mixture of native species.
Some 201 trees will be planted -
Next Wednesday -
Species include wych elm, bird cherry and rowan to give variety and colour throughout the year.
There will be two opportunities to help, with groups assembling at the entrance to the war memorial at 11am, and again at 2pm.
If you are able to lend a hand, Jo Bagrie of Stornoway Trust, who is co-
She said: “We need to know in advance what kind of numbers to expect on the day, both from a health and safety, and from a manpower perspective.
“The more people who come, the sooner our memorial woodland can be planted.”
If you can attend either the morning or afternoon planting session (or both), please leave your name with Jo at the Stornoway Trust office, by telephoning 702002, or emailing jo.bagrie@stornowaytrust.org.uk
Volunteers are reminded to come suitably equipped.
Jo Bagrie advised: “Volunteers should wear warm, waterproof clothing with stout boots and gloves. They will need to bring their own spade and, ideally – if they have one – a mallet.”
Representatives of both the Stornoway Trust, and Point and Sandwick Trust expressed their pleasure at being involved in the joint project with the Woodland Trust.
Angus McCormack of PST said it would be a “growing memorial for those lost on the Iolaire.”
Iain MacIver, estate factor for the Stornoway Trust said: “We are happy that the Woodland Trust have generously donated a living memorial that will hopefully remind people of those dark days.
“Stornoway Trust is mindful of the huge suffering and tragic loss felt across our island community, and hope that the trees, as they grow, will help to further instill a sense of gratitude in those who use the route to access the memorial, built in honour of those who sadly did not return.”
Andrew Campbell, senior outreach manager for the Woodland Trust, highlighted the significance of this particular project, stressing that it was very much a local community effort, which is merely being facilitated by his organisation.
He said: “The planting of trees as a memorial is really fitting because trees are
here for the long-
“As time goes on, the First World War is getting further and further away, and we see these woodlands as the war memorials of today.”
Anyone wishing to help with the plantation of the Lewis memorial woodland is asked to sign up as soon as possible, so that the trees are in place well before the centenary.
Memorial trees to mark HMY Iolaire tragedy centenary
14 November 2018
Trees will be planted along the avenue leading to the Lewis War Memorial