01 September 2023 , 08:47
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A family has been left "heartbroken" after their cherished memorial bench - dedicated to their late mother and wife - was "binned" by the council.
The Lyons family tragically lost Jenny on December 17 2013, when she succumbed to double pneumonia at the age of 68.
In her memory, they installed a memorial bench at her final resting place in Widnes Cemetery, a gesture which allowed sisters Kelly, Karen, Debbie, and her husband Terry to pay their respects.
The family had secured the plot for a decade, but in July 2023 Debbie, 47, made a shocking discovery - the bench had vanished.
The Lyons family lost their wife and mum, Jenny, after she started feeling unwell and was diagnosed with double pneumonia (Lyons family)Speaking to Liverpool Echo on behalf of the distraught Lyons family, Richard Cairns, 52, Jenny's son-in-law, said: "The family go to visit and will sit on the bench to pay their respects. Terry has MS and he needs that bench to sit down and spend time with his wife. One of Jenny's daughters, Debbie, had a brain tumour and she also needs the bench as she uses a chair when she visits."
Debbie, who has been visiting the cemetery almost daily for the past nine years, initially noticed damage to the bench. Richard promised to arrange repairs, but upon her return a few days later, the bench had disappeared entirely. Confused and concerned, the family reached out to Widnes Cemetery for answers. According to Richard, they were informed that the staff had "binned" the bench due to its damaged condition.
Richard expressed his disappointment with the local authorities, saying: "They didn't get in contact with us at all about this, I asked them why they didn't and they said they "don't do that". I just couldn't believe they would throw it away without telling anybody."
The incident has left Terry and his three daughters deeply upset. Kelly and Debbie are particularly incensed, with Debbie expressing her heartbreak over the situation. The family had leased the plot for ten years and were only in their ninth year. Richard said: "I would have fixed the bench and Terry would have had it in his garden to have his own memory of Jenny. We hope the cemetery will change its policy to stop families from having their hearts broken like we have."
A spokesperson from Halton Borough Council said: "The bench in question was removed by staff as a result of health and safety concerns due to its condition. The memorial plaque was removed and kept safe before the bench's disposal." The spokesperson further clarified that the maintenance responsibility lies with the purchaser of the lease agreement. Under these terms, the council reserves the right to remove and dispose of any bench deemed unmaintained. The family, however, indicated their intention to repair the damaged bench.
"In a move prioritising public safety, the council has taken action to remove a potentially hazardous bench from the cemetery," they said. "However, in an effort to honour commitments and respect memorial sentiments, plans are underway to replace the bench. The original memorial plaque will be reinstated, ensuring the 10-year bench lease agreement is fulfilled without compromising visitor safety."
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