FAMILY, friends and members of the community turned out for the unveiling of a bench in Hay-on-Wye dedicated to the memory of local stalwart Eileen Bufton.

Eileen was for many years an organiser and fundraiser heavily involved in the Bell Bank Visually Impaired Club in Hay.

On Saturday (May 12) a ribbon was cut by Bell Bank Club chairman Aileen Burr to officially unveil the bench which has a plaque on it bearing an inscription to both the club and the memory of Eileen.

Aileen Burr was assisted at the ceremony by Bell Bank Club helpers Sheila Leighton, Ruth Nicholls, Anne Hitchcox and Judith Wilkinson. Also at the ceremony were the last two remaining members of the club, Dorothy Hanson and Val Jacobs.

John Price, Bell Bank Club treasurer, welcomed Eileen’s husband and other family and friends.

Eileen was also a member of the ‘Monday Choir’ who in her honour performed three of her favourite songs. ‘Summer is A Coming In’, ‘The Lord Is My Shepherd’ and ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.

Mr Price thanked the choir for their singing and Hay Town Council for organising the installation of the bench. Afterwards he told the B&R: “Eileen is fondly remembered as a very proactive person who did her very best to improve the lives of the visually impaired and raised very respectable sums of money for her chosen charities over the years.

“Hay hasn’t been the same since she passed away last year; we still miss her presence and lovely sense of humour. The Bell Bank Visually Impaired Club was very close to Eileen’s heart and she was our leading light.”

The Monday Choir in Hay will also be presenting a concert in memory of Eileen at Hay St Mary’s Church on Friday, May 18. Tickets are available on the door for £5, including light refreshments. The Bell Bank club are organising a raffle on the night with prizes donated by local shops.