A memorial bench that’s been a comfort to a veteran’s cancer fight, saved a man’s life and has been an inspiration for poetry, has been given a new lease of life.
It was placed at Langary Gate between Holbeach St Johns and Fleet, next to the Millennium Monument, where Shelley Dring would rest when out for a walk while recovering from her treatment for a brain tumour.
She died from the condition aged 25 in 2009 and her dad Andy, who himself is now recovering from prostate cancer, accidently raised £400 at her funeral.
“A spare plate was left out by someone and people left money on it,” said the now retired veteran who was in the RAF for 43 years. “The first we knew of it was when the funeral directors gave us the money after.
“We decided to do it as a memorial for Shelley and came up with the idea of the stone bench.
“It’s in a beautiful location and not in a well known area, but I’d urge anyone to check the location out.”
Andy says it’s been an inspiration not just to him with poet Rex Sly penning a poem called ‘Shrine’ about the location.
One person even credits it as saving his life.
“There was a man who was going to commit suicide so he got in his car driving randomly to find a quiet place to do so.
“He ended up at the bench and said that reading the plaque there persuaded him to keep trying.”
Recently though the stone structure has been looking more weathered.
Coun Paul Barnes rang ‘out of the blue’ about the bench, offering to replace it using his ward budget.
Last Saturday he, Andy and friends Graham Maddy and Michael Thornton installed a new bench.
“I had the honour of helping Shelley’s dad and a couple of his friends with the installation,” said Coun Barnes. “If you have never visited this peaceful place, please do so, and take a few minutes to reflect.”
The original stone bench is now in Andy and his wife Sharon’s garden and still provides inspiration.
He credits a trip to the doctor 18 months ago as saving his life as he was diagnosed early with prostate cancer.
“I almost can’t take my own cancer seriously,” he said. “I end up looking at it and what she went through at her age and she just got on with it.
“She was always a fighter and fought her condition for two and a half years.
“What I have is all fixable, though I’d encourage anyone to get their prostate checked!
“If I’m feeling sorry for myself I just think about Shelley and the strength she showed.
“She was always so composed, did everything with dignity and had a real zest for life.”
