A MEMORIAL stone has been unveiled in memory of a respected councillor.

The tribute, in honour of Stanley Town Councillor Geoff Graham, has been installed in Stanley Cemetery, following his death in July last year.

It features decorative stonework with a special plaque commemorating Councillor Graham, along with a respite bench for cemetery users and is near the cemetery entrance.

His widow, Marcelle, and chairman of Stanley Town Council, Councillor Bala Nair unveiled the memorial with Councillor Graham’s friends, colleagues from the council, local schoolchildren, county Councillors and other dignitaries.

Cllr Nair said: “It is marvellous that the community is able to celebrate the life of a dedicated member in such an apt memorial.”

Mrs Graham said: “I would like to thank everyone involved from Stanley Town Council, Stanley Area Action Partnership’s staff, Cllr Lyn Boyd, Town Cllr Jack Pallas, Tony Johnson and the county council’s bereavement team and Murray Memorials who donated the memorial plaque.”

After the ceremony attendees were had a meeting at Stanley Civic Hall where they discussed setting up a Friends of Stanley Cemetery Group to carry on the work Cllr Graham and colleagues were undertaking before his death.

Anyone interested in joining the Friends of Stanley Cemetery Group should contact Cllr Jack Pallas on 01207-282-752.