Memorial benches restored in Northumberland park

A popular park in a Northumberland village has undergone a new facelift thanks to community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East.

The memorial park benches at Ponteland Park in Castle Morpeth have been stripped, stained and restored to bring them back to life for local residents to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

The Wearside-based firm approached Friends of Ponteland Park (FOPP), a group of people who tirelessly strive to improve the quality of the 18-acres of park for wildlife and as an amenity for the whole village.

By way of a donation, the group which consists of 250 members, requested for all thirteen memorial benches to be restored and FHM were only too happy to oblige.

Simon Ferry, FHM’s Lead Resident Liaison Officer said: “We have just completed internal refurbishments on a number of bungalows and a sheltered housing scheme in Ponteland and we wanted to give a donation to one of the community groups in the area.

“We were introduced to FOPP at last year’s Pride of Northumberland Awards who said they would love to restore the benches within Ponteland Park but couldn’t afford to do so.

“After visiting the site and meeting members of the group, we were only too happy to help.”

FHM and a team from sub-contractors Colin Marshall Decorators worked with local residents to find out what colour stain they wanted the benches at the park which is owned by the Tyne Council of Ponteland.

Alma Prickett of Darras Road in Ponteland is Treasurer for FOPP and has been a member since its inception in November 2005. She said: “We are delighted that FHM volunteered to restore the park benches.

“Over the course of the last three summers, we have tried to maintain the look of the seats to a good standard but they have deteriorated and weathered and we were anxious as people have donated these to the park.

“With FHM’s kind generosity, it has freed up our time to work on other areas of the park such as landscaping and general appearance. The memorial benches have been stained in antique pine and will have a finish that is more durable thus improving the landscape of the park.”