THREE new memorial benches are planned for Brecon’s peace garden as part of a rejuvenation project which was started in June last year.

Community interest company The Brecon Hive are leading a fundraising campaign to buy the benches which will replace the rotting wooden ones that are currently in the garden on the Watton.

The new benches will be similar to the bench installed last year to remember the Falklands War and will commemorate British soldiers who died during the First and Second World Wars as well as those who fought in more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Brecon bikers Jules and Drew Hore, who began the rejuvenation project with their ‘Ride for Respect’ marking the 35th anniversary of the Falklands War last year, have joined up with the community team to boost the fundraising campaign.

The group, and Jules and Drew, are now hoping to raise enough money to buy the three new benches which, with the permission of Powys County Council, will replace the benches that were installed when the peace garden originally opened in June 1999.

The Brecon Hive chairman John Taylor said: “We have consent from the county council to replace the existing wooden benches, which are rotted and broken, with metal benches similar to the Falklands bench.”

He said the group’s intention is to create a space where people can sit to reflect on the sacrifice made by the soldiers in each war and the benches will be decorated with images of soldiers, poppies and peace doves.

Mr Taylor said: “Our intention is not to glorify conflict, but rather to create a space for quiet reflection where the sacrifice made for peace can be remembered.”

Jules and Drew, who run a stall at Brecon Indoor Market, installed the Falklands bench in September last year with the money raised from the Ride of Respect – all of the leftover funds were donated to the British Legion.

Jules, who served in the Queen Alexandra’s Nursing Corps during the Falklands War, said when they installed the bench: “We chose the peace garden because the area had fallen into disrepair after it was put in, and it just seemed like an appropriate place to put the memorial.”

The community group are also hoping to create a wildlife garden and a sensory garden in the plots next to the Falklands memorial and in the low central section of the garden to help engage with local wildlife and residents.

Mr Taylor said: “These gardens will provide a haven for bees, butterflies, birds and other wildlife and will feature plants which appeal to the sense – sight, smell, touch and sound.”

As well as fundraising, the group are encouraging local young people to get involved with the project – even if its just helping with weeding or digging for a couple of hours a week.

For more information or if you want to help with the gardens, contact The Brecon Hive on 07415571663.