A bench has been installed in the Peace Gardens in Brecon to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
The Nepalese community in Brecon and the Brecon Hive group installed the bench as part of the continuing effort to renovate and tidy up the gardens which started in August last year.
Brecon Hive is raising funds to replace the garden’s wooden benches, which are rotten and broken, with metal benches commemorating different conflicts.
There are now plans to install a bench commemorating the Second World War bench and a bench marking the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A bench and memorial stone marking the Falklands War were installed in the garden in September last year by Brecon Hive members Jules and Andrew Hore.
Jules and Andrew, who run the Spiritual Magic stall in Brecon Market, raised the money for the memorial area – dedicated to the 255 British troops and three civilians who lost their lives in the Falklands – through the 35th Ride of Respect motorbike ride.
Ms Hore, who served in the Queen Alexandra’s Nursing Corps in the Falklands, said about the new bench: “As 2018 is the centenary of the end of the first World War, The Brecon Hive decided to install the WWI bench this year.
“Having heard of our plans, retired Gurkha major Guptaman Gurung contacted John Taylor, chairman of The Brecon Hive, and offered the support of his members in purchasing and installing the bench.”
Brecon Hive members cleared an area of the gardens next to the Falklands memorial and with the help of Gurkhas they installed the base, the bench, the pathway leading to the bench and steel poppies. The team are also looking to edge the path with bricks painted in the Gurkha regimental colours – black, red and green.
Robert Hunt, site manager for Kier, the contractors redeveloping Brecknock Museum, managed to raise the funds for the bench base and the path, while Gary North and Rob Crumpler at Robert Price delivered the materials at short notice. Mr Hore said: “Without the support of Kier in funding the materials and the managers at Robert Price putting themselves out to deliver the sand, gravel, cement and top soil to us on one of their busiest days, we simply wouldn’t have been able to get the area ready for the bench.”
He also said that the next part of the plan is to plant wildflower seeds, native daffodil bulbs and shrubs, such as Buddleia also known as a “butterfly bush”, in the garden in the hope of attracting wildlife. The Brecon Hive also has bird and insect boxes which have been donated for a wildlife section in the garden.
Ex-major Guptaman Gurung said he was determined to help with the Peace Gardens project and had approached Gumandhoj Limbu, the chair of the Nepalese Society in Brecon, who was happy to help. Between them they managed to raise the funds for the bench within a week.
He said: “I believe this will serve two purposes. First of all, all the Gurkhas residing in Brecon are connected to the Brigade of Gurkhas who have been serving the Queen and Country for over 200 years. Many have given their lives in the past conflicts and it is because of their sacrifices that we are able to make this country as our second home. Therefore, it is only right for us to be grateful to them. The bench reflects of the great war and it is a good way to remember them. Secondly, as the good citizens of the town, it is our duty to assist the local community in whatever way we can. It would definitely help us in our effort to integrate in the local community and there can be no better way than this project.”
The new bench will be officially unveiled on Saturday, November 10 with a remembrance service.
The next planned addition to the garden is a sensory area which will be built with help from students from the Supported Learning Department at NPTC college in Brecon.