The concert was performed by singer/songwriter Louise Jordan, who brought her World War I project ‘No Petticoats Here’ to Symington Parish Church.

Louise’s performance, which also involved the participation of schoolchildren from Symington Primary School, tells the histories of remarkable women of the First World War through story-telling and song, recognising the extraordinary and inspirational achievements of women working in many spheres during the course of the conflict.

Proceeds from the concert were used to fund a community commemorative bench, with a design chosen by Symington Primary pupils, which has now taken pride of place by the village’s war memorial. The Community Council’s aim for their commemoration project has been to pass on ownership of the bench, and remembrance of the lost lives it represents, to the children of today.

Mactaggart & Mickel Homes has a long history of supporting good causes. The Building Communities Fund was established to enhance the company’s ongoing efforts to help organisations and projects which enhance the lives of people within their local communities.  

The fund is open throughout the year to applications from charities, community groups, sports teams and schools whose work is instrumental in communities near to any Mactaggart & Mickel Homes development under construction, including the recently-opened Kelso Gardens in Symington.

Applications for funding are assessed and awarded by a cross section of Mactaggart & Mickel employees.

Joanne Casey, director for Mactaggart & Mickel Homes, said: “We were particularly happy to support Symington Community Council’s project, in this centenary year of the end of the First World War, and to be a part of their efforts in remembrance of the fallen in Symington - an area with which we have a long association.”

Jillian Mulholland of Symington Community Council said: “Symington Community Ayrshire wish to thank Mactaggart and Mickel Homes for their financial support. Through staging our concert we have been able to reconnect the stories of the fallen to today’s younger generation, and allow them the particular educational value of the contribution made by women.”