Ladies and gentlemen from the Re-engage Angus tea party groups briefly enlisted in one of the world’s elite fighting units recently.

Officers from 45 Commando Royal Marines played hosts at a special outing for 18 members of the Carnoustie, Brechin, Kirriemuir and Laurencekirk groups.

As well as tea and cakes in the officers’ mess at RM Condor in Arbroath there was a briefing from Lieutenant James Ross about the Commandos’ recent arctic warfare exercises in Norway and Poland, where they were on standby for the Ukraine conflict.

Then followed a tour of the base with a special stop at the Woodlands Garden, a former Commanding Officer’s vegetable patch which is now a ‘focal point for remembrance and reflection.’

The centrepiece of the garden is a magnificent 8.5 tonne granite memorial stone which bears the names of all 64 Commandos who have died since the regiment moved to its current base in 1971.

In front of the towering monolith is The Globe, a large depiction of the Commandos’ cap badge, which was created by a former member of the regiment. Dotted around the garden are six large stones which were shipped back from conflict zones where comrades died – The Falklands, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Norway. There are also three hand-made benches donated by the Duchess of Northumbria.

The garden’s stunning transformation cost £250,000 and was paid for mostly from money raised by the Commandos.

Warrant Officer 2 Scotty Lawrie, who hosted the tea party said: “This was the tea parties’ second visit and it was an absolute pleasure to see them again. It’s important that we keep contact with groups such as Re-engage as it’s part of our outreach work- and we all understand the concept of loneliness.”

Jackie Williamson, from the Brechin group laid flowers at the memorial stone. Three members of her family have been killed in action.

Jean Malcolm, Angus group coordinator, said: “It was a brilliant afternoon and so lovely to see such bright, committed young men who go about their business bravely and modestly. I think they were touched that we went to the trouble of bringing a bouquet.”

“It was an honour to be invited and we’re already looking forward to the next visit.”