A bench dedicated to key workers, who went over and above the call of duty in Ashfield's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been unveiled in Hucknall this morning (Tuesday 10 January).

The new bench, the first of four benches to be unveiled by Ashfield District Council, has been placed next to the Miners Memorial on Station Road in Hucknall. 

The bench was one of the last wishes of the late Jim Blagden, former Hucknall Central councillor who sadly passed away at the end of July. 

It is based on designs by pupils at Hucknall's Holgate Academy, located on Hillcrest Drive. Some of the students helped cut the ribbon as the bench was revealed.

The idea for the benches came from the Council's former COVID-19 Response and Recovery Panel, of which Jim was a leading member and former Chairman.

Councillor John Wilmott, a Hucknall North councillor as well as lifelong friend and colleague of Mr Blagden said: "Finding a way of commemorating key workers who did so much for us during successive COVID-19 lockdowns was one of Jim's final wishes.

"We'd like to thank children at Holgate School, Hucknall, whose designs the bench is based on, for their help. 

"During the pandemic, our key workers including our doctors and nurses and key emergency services did so much for us. This is our way of remembering those who gave so much at the most difficult time imaginable."

Photo courtesy of Ashfield District Council.

The benches have been commissioned by Ashfield District Council and paid for by Nottinghamshire County Council's Councillors Divisional Fund. The other three benches will be placed in Kirkby, Selston, and Sutton. 

Ashfield District Council's response to COVID-19 was nationally recognised in an independent report by the Local Government Association who described a "…golden thread running through the Council" as all councillors and staff worked together to provide key services for residents during the successive lockdowns. 

Councillor Lee Waters, who attended the unveiling said: "We're delighted to remember not just our key workers during COVID but also the amazing contribution that Jim made. The work of the committee he helped lead made a huge contribution to maintaining services throughout the pandemic. 

"I would encourage Hucknall residents to enjoy the bench and use it as a place to remember those who did so much for us. I will use it to remember Jim's extraordinary, decades-long contribution to make Hucknall a better place."