UNVEILING OF BENCH AT ELDON SQUARE, NEWCASTLE
10th June 2009

Members of Newcastle Branch

The cenotaph and surrounding are in Newcastle upon Tyne has recently undergone a major renovation.  The cenotaph which has the mounted figure of Saint George slaying the dragon and it is situated centrally in Old Eldon Square, Newcastle.  This Square is divided into four lawns in the form of the flag of England, by a cruciform pathway.  As part of the renovation six seats, in the pattern of three facing three, have been placed in each of the four segments of pathway.  The twenty four seats in the square have been dedicated to various military and civil defence organisations, this dedication taking the form of a plaque affixed to the backrest of the seat and the unit badge on the arm rests.  Each of the seats has been unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne following a short service and prayer for the relevant military of civil defence organisation.

On Wednesday 3^rd June 2009 at 1000 hrs a seat was dedicated to The Green Howards Regiment, together with the facing seat dedicated to The Durham Light Infantry.  Both seats were unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle who was accompanied by his wife The Lady Mayoress, whose father served as a Green Howard in WW2.  Both seats were blessed and a prayer said for each Regiment by the Reverend Jean Skinner.  Fifteen members of The Newcastle Branch of The Green Howards Association, along with Mrs Margaret Graham and Mrs Margaret Longstaff attended the ceremony to unveil the seats.  The Branch Standard was carried by Ray Gibbon, with Ray Priest and Bob Graham flanking the seat for the unveiling. 

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