Felled trees may form memorial seat for Sean Stevens - The Evesham Observer

Felled trees may form memorial seat for Sean Stevens

Evesham Editorial 8th Apr, 2016 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

A FUND-RAISING bid has been launched in memory of a former Pershore teenager who passed away hours after he was rescued from a Worcester canal.

Sean Stevens died following the incident at Bilford Top Lock on the Worcestershire and Birmingham Canal on Thursday (March 31) evening.

Police officers were called after concerns for the 17-year-old’s safety before the teenager was then taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he later died.

Following his tragic passing, a number of fund-raising projects have been set up in his memory to help with funeral costs and for a bench close to the spot where the incident took place.




One of the fund-raising projects hopes to get a bench put in Abbey Park in memory of the teenager, a former pupil at Pershore High School.

Poignantly, fund-raisers also hope the bench will be put together from the Broad Street tree logs, a cause close to Sean’s mums heart.


Campaigners hope to meet with council chiefs in the coming weeks to reach an agreement on a suitable memorial for Sean.

Members of the popular Facebook group Pershore and District Watch lent their backing to the bid.

Tracy Atherton said: “The trees were very important to Sean’s mum so maybe, just maybe this will mean that some of the wood could be used for something that would mean so much to her.

Lilypod Trout said: “I think using the trees from Broad Street for a memorial bench would be brilliant. How could anyone object to that?

Town councillor Coun David Annis said he believed Pershore Town Council would be more than willing to donate the number of newly acquired tree trunks needed for the project.

Fellow town councillor Coun Charles Tucker, who also represents Pershore on Wychavon District Council, lent his support to the bid.

“I didn’t know Sean but am happy to give what support I can to the idea of a memorial bench made from the plane trees. It’s an ideal way of using the wood.

“There are at least eight different styles of bench/seat in Abbey Park now, so I can’t see the objection to one more!,” he added.

Coun Tucker also confirmed how the logs from the Broad Street trees could be used would be discussed by members of Pershore Town Council at their next meeting.

In response, Lynn Stevens, Senior Parks and Greenspace Officer for Wychavon District Council, said: “We’re sympathetic to the request for a memorial bench and would encourage the family to contact us directly to discuss the options available.”

Visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/tiffany-smith-1 for more information on the fund-raising for the Abbey Park bench and to donate.

Visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Seansbenchjustgiving for more information on the appeal for a bench at Bilford Top Lock and crowdfunding.justgiving.com/lynne-essex-1 to help with funeral costs.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Evesham Observer newspaper.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.