A Moment of Recognition at the Girvan Town Team AGM

At Girvan Town Team’s Annual General Meeting on 4 December 2025, the organisation was honoured to receive a framed award recognising its sponsorship of the Unknown Sailor tribute.

The award was presented by Ritchie Conaghan of the Girvan & District Great War Project, on behalf of VE80 South Ayrshire, and accepted on behalf of the Girvan Town Team by Vice Chair Pete Cheetham. It marked a meaningful moment of reflection at the AGM, celebrating both partnership working and Girvan’s continued commitment to remembering those who served.

Earlier this year, Girvan Town Team agreed to support the installation of the Unknown Sailor silhouette after learning more about the project from Lorna and Ritchie Conaghan of the Girvan and District Great War Project. The silhouette formed part of the VE Day 80 South Ayrshire Field of Heroes initiative.

Rather than memorialising a single individual, the Unknown Sailor represents all those whose names and stories were lost to the sea, while still grounding the remembrance firmly in local history.

Recognition of Partnership Working

The presentation of the award highlighted the strength of partnership working between local community organisations. Projects such as this are only possible through collaboration, shared commitment, and a mutual respect for Girvan’s history and heritage.

Girvan Town Team is proud to support initiatives that preserve local memory, honour past generations, and bring the community together through reflection and learning. We are grateful to the Girvan & District Great War Project for their ongoing dedication, and for recognising our small part in supporting this meaningful tribute.

The memorial stands not only as a reminder of the past, but as an example of what can be achieved when local groups work together in the spirit of remembrance, respect, and community.