KILWINNING’S war memorial has received high praise in a competition to find out how well communities remember those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

The Kilwinning memorial won the ‘champion of champions’ category in the competition for the best kept war memorial in the south-west of Scotland – going one better than 2021 when they were ‘highly commended’ in the same class.

The area competition, for the Glasgow, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway area, was organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland.

Six judges from across the areas were enlisted to visit the memorial gardens and come to their decision.

Nearby, in the ‘large communities without gardens’ category, Stevenston was awarded as the overall winner, making it the gardens second victory in as many years.

And in the ‘large communities with gardens’ category, the Ardrossan garden was considered ‘highly commended’, but it was Saltcoats who claimed the overall victory in this category, for the second consecutive year.

And the area’s success stretched out beyond the Three Towns, with Kilwinning’s war memorial scooping one of the most sought-after accolades.

After being deemed ‘highly commended’ in the ‘champions of champions’ category in 2021, the Kilwinning garden reached top spot this time round, winning the category for the area.

Speaking after the judges had reached their decision, Paul Coffey, president of the RBLS Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch, said he was grateful for the support given by the community and by North Ayrshire Council in their efforts to look after the area’s memorials.

He said: “[The] Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston Branch of the RBLS would like of offer special thanks to ‘Streetscene’ who go above and beyond, and all who helped from the branch and the community.”