MEDIA RELEASE
Issued: November 9, 2016
PICTURE: A picture of Ongar Town Council chairman Jim Browning with the bench can be viewed and downloaded HERE
Vandalised bench replaced thanks to generous donation
A vandalised bench at the John Holness Memorial Garden, Ongar, has been replaced thanks to a generous donation from Oakman Inns, owner of the King’s Head pub in High Street, Ongar.
Ongar Town Council has welcomed the contribution which has been spent on a new bench in the garden, at the top of Love Lane, which was created in memory of Mr Holness who died in 2002.
He was well-known in Ongar through his involvement with many organisations especially the Ramblers.
Vandalism at the garden resulted in the bench being damaged beyond repair.
The replacement bench has cost several hundred pounds.
Peter Borg-Neal, CEO of Oakman Inns, said: “I wish I’d met John Holness who, many people have told me, was an inspirational figure in the life of the town.
"Like Oakman Inns, he understood the values of community life and that we are all better working together. Hopefully the new bench will provide a little stopping place for the townsfolk to take a breather and a moment of quiet in the rush of modern life.”
Ongar Town Council chairman councillor Jim Browning said: “Without this donation from the King’s Head’s owners, the council would have had to divert funds from other projects to be able to buy a replacement bench. Councillors very much appreciate this support.”
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