Coggeshall: Village unveils memorial bench to swans

Priti Patel, MP for the Witham, unveiled the bench which has been created in honour of the four swans that were killed in January.

It is thought the swans were killed in a catapult attack using ball bearings on Grange Hill in early January this year. The incident was being investigated by Essex police.

The bench is now situated next to the river in Coggeshall, near Bridge Street.

Unveiling the bench, the Essex MP said: "The family of swans that lived here were very much a part of the local scene and their senseless deaths hit the community hard.

"I am very moved to be asked to declare the bench open and I hope the local residents will take some comfort from its presence here."

Priti Patel MP with the maker of the memorial bench, Zachary Taylor. Credit: Priti Patel MP (Image: Priti Patel MP)

Local resident, Dee Griffiths, was responsible for organising the crowdfunding page which raised nearly £1,800.

He said: "I am grateful to Priti for attending and officiating at our ceremony.

"The four mute swans were very much loved by local people and I am pleased that we have been able to find such a fitting way to commemorate their lives and the very great pleasure they brought to us all by their presence here."

Also at the ceremony, held on Friday, April 21, were Zack Woods, whose company ZWoods supplied the bench and planters used in the memorial.

Local artist Julie Whitney was also in attendance, who contributed paintings sold for fundraising and PC Jed Raven, from Essex Police's Wildlife section.

Perrywood Garden Centre provided the flowers and planters for the memorial service.

L-R: PC Mathew Harkness, Elaine Kelleher, Julie Whitney, Dee Griffiths, Dave Griffiths, Zachary Woods, PC Jed Raven, Mary Taylor and Jane Sharp. Credit: Priti Patel. Credit: Priti Patel MP (Image: Priti Patel MP)