Wonderful donation creates memorial

A memorial for a World War Two veteran created using a donated MQP granite boulder has been unveiled.

The two-tonne block in the centre of Bedworth is the setting for a dedication and a photo commemorating Frank Parsons, a Royal Marine Commando.

Rather than his wartime service, though, it honours his work over more than 40 years in revitalising and expanding the Warwickshire town’s annual Armistice Day parade.

The stone came from the now closed Griff quarry in Nuneaton and Lee Ormerod, manager of the site’s asphalt plant, was invited to the ceremony.

“There was a parade of about 30 veterans to the town centre and then a presentation,” said Lee, who was given a thank-you plaque on the day.

Lonnie Downes, from the Veterans’ Contact Point charity behind the memorial, said the donation was “wonderful” and “immensely helpful”.