View from a bench: A special thank you from friends and family of former Shotley warden

By Derek Davis

20th Mar 2021 | Local News

Friends and family of a former Shotley community warden have today sent a special thank you message to all that helped install a bench in his memory.

Former soldier Matthew Clarke, who moved to Canada from Shotley, left a deep impression in the village and his former neighbours and friends set up a special appeal after he passed away aged 52, following a battle with brain cancer.

Scott Leeks said: "We have raised £920 on the Just Giving page which has now closed. Enough funds were raised for us to commission an engraved bench and a pitch at the Shotley Gate Marina for Matthew's family.

"Matthew's wife Annette and son Brereton live in Canada .and have told us they cannot thank the Shotley community enough for this beautiful memorial of her dear husband and father to Luke, Ben,Brereton and Sienna ,

"Matthew would be most honoured indeed and thank you to everyone involved and who donated to make Matthews remembrance bench happen."

Scott added that he would personally like to thank Brereton for all his kind words for me organising the bench.

He said: "I would also like to thank Miriam Bennett for organising the permission the have Matthews bench placed at the Marina. Thank you to the Shotley Gate Marina and staff involved.

"Thanks to Jason and Lee and all they did to make Matthews bench at Realise Futures in this covid times.

"Thanks to everyone who has donated and thank you Nub News for the original article (full story here) to get the message out there."

Matthew's bench is engraved on the back of the bench one of Matthew's sayings 'Not Lost Just Finding New Roads' and on the front of the bench Matthew's name and dates.