The wooden bench at the junction of Thompson Road and Church Road has needed replacement for some time, and has now been replaced. It’s a common stopping off point for walkers and dog walkers to sit and take in the farmland views. Its also handy for seeing the buses coming from Watton and Thetford.
We managed to choose the first rainy day for three months for the installation!
Our sincere thanks go to Wates and HMP Wayland’s Carpentry Workshop for this generous addition to the village. This is a key step in the building of a renewed and robust relationship between the prison and Griston.
Wates is the contractor appointed to build the new prison block and they supplied the special order Canadian hardwood material. This donation to Griston is part of their community commitments as part of the project. There are other parts of that plan that we are also working with them on.
Parish Council Chair Shane Barber accepting delivery of the bench from Wates’ installation team leader Tony Baines
HMP Wayland’s Carpentry Workshop machined and manufactured the parts, then assembled and oiled them. This work provides valuable extension to skills acquired by prisoners nearing release who want to seek carpentry or joinery employment after release.
The last bench lasted for twenty years, and we hope this one becomes equally appreciated by the village. We look forward to meeting many of you there for a chat.
Our plan is to allow parishioners to purchase dedication plaques to remember loved ones and we will install them along the top rail. We will publish details of this scheme as it is finalised and costs become known.
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