Thursday, 20 April 2023
"Sit, reflect and remember"
War memorial benches have become a common sight throughout the British Isles in recent years. Different designs are available and many are placed in beautiful locations. They provide a chance to sit, reflect and remember and few towns or villages seem to be without them nowadays.
The one in Llanidloes however has a unique design and an interesting background. It stands in the centre of the town, next to the main war memorial. This is set in an arched recess on the outside of the Town Hall; it is elegant and elaborately decorated with a carved lion on each side and below a ‘trophy of arms’ and the Prince of Wales’ feathers.
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A memorial bench was installed to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. It was funded by donations from members of the community to remember the men and women from the town and the surrounding area who served in both World Wars. The blessing and unveiling of the bench took place on Remembrance Sunday 2018. It was unveiled by the youngest and oldest members of the Women's Section of Llanidloes' Royal British Legion, Sarah Davies and 97-year-old Chris Powers.
The bench was made by local welder Martin Crowther whose family business, Mid Wales Welded, has been based in Llanidloes for around 60 years. Martin said it was an honour to be asked to make the bench. "We're very pleased with ourselves and hopefully it will be appreciated for generations to come," he said. "Llanidloes is a generous place where everyone gets together to do things like this for charity." Martin was assisted by his daughter, Lisa Crowther-James, in constructing the bench. The three armed forces - Navy, RAF and the Army - are commemorated on the bench, along with 11 red poppies and the inscriptions 'Lest We Forget' and 'Llanidloes'. It was designed by Mark Sargeant of Llanidloes-based Bulk Automation.
Town councillor Trudy Davies first came up with the idea. She said it was an emotional experience seeing the bench after it was completed and described it as "designed in Llani, made in Llani by a Llani lad. It's all very poignant and it seems to all come together."
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