Volunteers restore 'forgotten' war memorial

A group of military veterans and volunteers have helped a renowned artist to restore a "forgotten" war memorial.

Katayoun Dowlatshahi was one of three artists commissioned by North Yorkshire Council to create a range of artworks as part of the regeneration of Catterick Garrison's town centre.

Beneath vegetation she discovered an old brick labyrinth surrounding a Royal British Legion plaque in Coronation Park, and enlisted the help of veterans to help clear and rebuild it.

The volunteers said "Operation Labyrinth" had been a "fantastic" project to be a part of and that they were proud to have "breathed new life" into the memorial.

Mrs Dowlatshahi was on a site visit when she noticed undulations and small lines surrounding the plaque, and when she walked around it she realised it was a labyrinth maze.

She began to research its history and eventually found out that it was laid out as part of a Millennium project but then been neglected.

She said: "I made it my mission to reach out to the community to restore it. We've walked away with a sense of wellbeing and achievement that we've managed to completely transform this space."

New seating was installed at the memorial as part of the work.

Among those who volunteered were Nicole Blair, director of Veterans Community Working Party, and her father Nick Terry, a Royal Signals veteran who trained at the garrison in 1973.

She said the element of teamwork had appealed to the former soldiers who took part.

"Just working together and being able to use it in the future and say 'yes, I was part of that' is nice."

Mr Terry added that the centre of the memorial had been vandalised and so needed to be rebuilt.

He said: "The community has been fantastic and we got lots of help and support."

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