Following last weekend’s Armistice commemorations, Tavistock Town Council has continued to show its respect in this centenary year by paying to have two benches near the war memorial refurbished.

The two benches, which back on to the Tavistock Guildhall Car Park and look out onto Plymouth Road and Abbey Place, were originally donated to the town in 1971 by the Tavistock branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Nearly 50 years later, the Tavistock RBL wanted to have the benches refurbished and was going to pay for it out of its own pocket.

However, the town council came forward with the offer to pay for the refurbishment as a continued mark of respect for the fallen.

Chairman of the Tavistock branch of the RBL Malcolm Christie said: ‘We wanted to get them refurbished at the RBL’s expense — the town council took them away to be refurbished but said that the cost to the RBL would be nothing and would be out of their pocket.

‘It is a lovely thing they have done.’

Tavistock Town Council’s general manager Wayne Southall said: ‘The town council was pleased to be able to contribute, in this centenary year, to the commemoration of those who fell in the Great War and subsequent conflicts who selflessly gave their today for our tomorrow.

‘These benches, provided by the Royal British Legion and restored by the town council, provide an opportunity for us all to pause, rest and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many over the past century to protect the rights and responsibilities we enjoy today.’

The benches were removed from their site and taken to the town council’s works depot for the refurbishment, which included replacement of the timbers and all the timberwork redecorated.

The town council’s works team also spent time cleaning the town’s war memorial in the guildhall car park ahead of the remembrance service on Sunday.

Pictured are Malcolm Christie (second left), town mayor Cllr Paul Ward (second right) and the town council’s Dolan Foy (far left) and Ian Lashbrook (far right).