The F J Pettigrew Memorial Bench (Swanage July 2018)

 

Cast iron, he was. Solid. Dependable, completely un-bendable.

Like an Oak. Strong supportive always there unbreakable, ever faithful.

 

So from cast iron and oak they had a bench built, painted it gloss malachite green, with space for a polished brass plaque.

 

They spoke of the places he'd been and where he'd have liked to go back.

 

Plymouth, Exmouth, Teignmouth, Bournemouth , Enough?

Brighton Paignton, Newquay, Torquay, Where? where should it be?

 

Then a spark of inspiration

“Swanage of course, right outside the Station”!

They laughed, for the first time since dad died, laughed so much they cried.

 

In due time the plaque was attached with four shiny screws on his bench that I now use.

A bench of cast iron and oak

 

I sit and rest my aching feet, thermos tea and a pasty to eat and I wonder who to thank for my lovely solid comfortable seat.

 

F.J. (Fred) Pettigrew

1930-2002

“Farewell old dear”

(He bloody hated coming here)

 

So here I sit with that miserable git

Cheers Fred I raise my cup.

 

Cast Iron and Oak

And a fond family's joke

 

On this your memorial bench