Woodland Bench Repair Needed

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Woodland Bench Repair Needed

When Jim Grogan wanted some long-lasting benches made for the original woodland, he went to Gordon Ledward, whom he described as "the finest welder in Tarvin". Gordon initially made three benches and these were installed in the woodland before the turn of the millennium. When we acquired the new Saxon Heath section of the woodland, Gordon produced a further two benches and there were sited adjacent to the Taylor Wimpey development.

The benches have been re-painted several times by our volunteers and the exposed steelwork is still in fine condition. However, on one of the original benches, the spot between the ground and the atmosphere has proved to be a weakness, and one of the legs of one of the benches has rusted completely through. However, this has not compromised the safety of that bench at all – a very large volunteer bounced up and down on it and, with only three legs supporting it, it did not move! Such was the quality of Gordon's workmanship!

The next move is for us to dig the bench out. This will be a substantial task because the legs go a long way into the ground and there is a large horizontal plate welded to the bottom of each of them, to ensure the security and robustness of the bench. Once removed, the two parts of the leg will be reinforced and re-welded, so that that leg will actually be stronger than it was when Gordon made it!

Both Gordon Ledward and Jim Grogan are no longer with us. However, they will live on, not only in the fine work that they did and the legacy that they have left for us, but also in the memories of Tarvin folk, which will last for a very long time. Thank you, gentlemen. God bless you both.

Charles Bradley
Tarvin Community Woodland Trust, Ltd