A catch up and a missing bench

There are still several areas of Christchurch Park that I haven't yet documented and I decided I need to map those benches that I have already blogged about, to make it easier to find them.

So, I set off this morning to start the mapping and found a new bench next to the very first ones that I blogged about. There is a new bench dedicated to Stephanie Thurston (1929-2015) next to a bench for Norman Thurston - so I am guessing they are husband and wife

I also found a bench near the Henley Road entrance that I had missed before - It was provided by the Ipswich Horticultural Society in 1988

There was also another new bench in the Henley Road part - this time near the link to the bridal path

It is just engraved with the name Edward Croome - he died at the relatively young age of 47 and there are some lovely tributes here.

Continuing the Circle Round the Pond

This brass plaque just reads - In Memory of Chris Stollery - is this the Chris Stollery mentioned in this article?

Another simple plaque on the bench next door - in Memory of Helen Watson. With no details of when she lived, it is difficult to find out any more information on her and why she has a bench there.

This last one is under a tree and is for Claire Fulcher (1983-2005) with the lovely wording of 'Live Your Dreams'. Obviously still remembered by her family as she passed away only aged 22. 

More Benches around the Round Pond

This bench overlooking the round pond is in loving memory of Thomas Lee Bare who lived from 1935 to 1999. 

This one is not strictly a memorial bench but a birthday bench !  What a lovely way to celebrate Jennifer Rose Hartleys 60th birthday in 2001. She is a local author  and you can find her memoir about non violent protest on Amazon!

This is the view of the round pond from the seat of Kay Davey (1922-2001). A popular spot in the park!

The Round Pond

As you can see - the benches are enjoyed by many of the people who visit the park - giving them a chance to stop and appreciate the wonderful space around them.

This bench overlooking the round pond was provided by the family of Irmgard Ortiz - who had the wonderful nickname of Nanny Tortoise!

This bench commemorated the 161/196 Field Ambulances from the Royal Army Medical Corps - especially those taken Prisoner of War in the Far East. Their stories are told in an interesting website here

I haven't been able to find out anything about ST Baylis - but like how they have provided the bench For his love of Ipswich.

Near Christchurch Mansion

This bench on the approach to Christchurch Mansion is dedicated to Ralph Sidney Tricker 1920-2008 with 'Loved and remembered always' across the bottom'

 In the gardens at the side of the mansion is this bench for Veronica Burlinson 1925-2005 - another person who I cannot find any info on at the moment.

Also in the gardens  is this bench to Trevor David Welham who worked for Ipswich Borough Council, stamping out benefit fraud and who died at an early age of 56.

Just around the path from him is Ian David Drake 9.7.68-28.6.05. Inscribed with  Forever in Our Hearts and a picture of a koi carp

The Peace Garden

There are 2 benches for Sri Chimnoy - one to commemorate when he visited Ipswich and the Peace Garden in 1987 and another after his death in 2007. One is inscribed with 'A Dreamer of World Peace'. There Sri Chimnoy centre in Ipswich and a statue to him in Chantry Park

Nearby is a bench to Christopher James Jefferson who died aged only 40. It is inscribed  Ipswich - Rest in Peace  - Cambodia. I have discovered a press article 3 years before his death, about how he was caught up in an armed siege Cambodia.

Finally a bench erected in 2003 to show the close bonds with our twinned town of Arras. I was lucky enough to visit Arras last week as part of my First World War Battlefields tour. I went down the Wellington Quarry chalk mines under the town and learnt about the Suffolk Battalions role in the Battle of Arras 1917.

 This is where several thousand of men had to stay underground for several days before being given the order to attack.

The Sensory Garden

In 2012 part of the Arboretum was transformed into a sensory garden with the help of the Papworth Trust and its volunteers. With Lavender and other strong smelling plants, it provides stimulus for sight impaired people and also encourages butterflies to the area! This bench commemorates its opening,

The next bench is for Marc Downing who was tragically killed at the age of only 22 whilst on holiday by a hit and run driver . It has the lovely inscription "Music is the Language of the World" along the seat.

The third seat in this area is to remember Tony Warren - is this Tony Warren who played the flute and was involved in the Suffolk Concert Band?