Bellway digs deep to help with war memorial repairs

Leading regional housebuilder Bellway has donated £750 towards the repairs of the Lych Gate at St Thomas’ Church on Rock Lane in Melling, which is also the war memorial for the village.

Earlier this year one side of the Lych Gate was set on fire by vandals and so repair work was necessary, which the insurance company covered.  However, upon inspection, the other side of the Lych Gate had badly rotted and expensive seasoned oak timber was required for the repairs.

With Rainbow Fields, a brand new residential development of two, three and four bedroom homes located in Melling, Bellway was delighted to make a donation and kick start the fundraising.

Rev. Janice Hill from St Thomas’ Church, comments: “We are very grateful to Bellway for their generous donation.  The nature of the materials needed for the repair work are costly and so we have had to reach out to the local community and nearby businesses to help with the fundraising.

“The Lych Gate is the village’s war memorial, which was erected in 1921.  It was paid for by donations from people living in the village to remember loved ones who did not come back from the First World War and is an incredibly special and sentimental landmark in Melling.

“It is hugely important that we restore the Lych Gate as soon as possible and Bellway’s contribution is much appreciated.”

Jenny Bell, sales director at Bellway, adds: “We were very sad to hear about the vandalism to the Lych Gate in Melling and were happy to make a donation to help with the repairs.  Melling is a charming village and the Lych Gate a symbolic feature, so we hope other local businesses dig deep too.”

To make a donation, please contact Barbara Nickson, St Thomas’ Church Secretary, on 07875 301757.

For further information regarding Rainbow Fields, please call Bellway on 07794 049111 (open Monday and Friday from 10am until 5pm, Thursday from 10am until 7pm and weekends from 11am until 5pm).  Alternatively, please visit www.bellway.co.uk.