COUNCILLORS and residents joined together today (Saturday, 22 August) to rededicate a commemorative bench which has been rescued from the now defunct Mulberry Garden adjacent to Thurrock Council Civic offices.

The garden is about to be built over as part of the controversial extension of the offices and the bench, which had been dedicated to the memory of those who were involved in the D-Day Landings would have disappeared from use.

However, councillors for Grays Riverside arranged for the bench to be moved to nearby Kilverts Field so it could continue to be enjoyed by the residents of Grays.

In a ceremony organised by Cllrs Tony Fish, Martin Kerin and Jane Pothecary in partnership with the Seabrooke Estate Residents Association, a wreath of poppies from the Royal British Legion was laid and speeches were made by councillors and community leaders.

Cllr Tony Fish, who was wearing his Past Mayor's Badge, said: "I'm honoured to be able to be part of this ceremony today where we are remembering the sacrifice made by previous generations to preserve the freedoms we cherish today, and to mark the resting and preservation of an important and well-loved local landmark which is a symbol of that sacrifice."

Richard Suttling, chair of the Seabrooke Estate Residents' Association said: "It is such a shame we ended up having to move the bench to a new place, but it is maybe a better place - not locked behind closed doors.

"This bench is out on the open in Kilverts Field so that everyone can sit and think: 'What if the heroes of the Mulberry harbours of D-Day hadn't done this for us?' These soldiers were people of courage - they believed in the war effort and did their bit for us."