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Funeral directors help to restore
local memorial
The Chertsey Society have been given
a helping hand by Lodge Brothers, the local Funeral
Directors and Memorial Stonemasons.
When they were approached by The
Chertsey Society to help restore the memorial
stone in the Freda Atkins Memorial Garden, on
the site of Chertsey Abbey, Chris Lodge of Lodge
Brothers offered to complete the work free of
charge.
The stone has now been renovated
and the inscription completely re-cut so that
it is once again clearly readable. Malcolm Loveday,
Chairman of the Chertsey Society, said “We
are delighted that the memorial to Freda Atkins
has been restored to its former glory and we are
very grateful to Lodge Brothers for donating their
services and expertise”.
Freda Atkins was a well known local
resident who was Chairman of The Chertsey Society
from 1979 to 1986. She was a talented actress
and appeared in a number of films including The
Ipcress Files.
The Memorial Garden is situated
amongst the outbuildings of Chertsey Abbey looking
across to Abbey Fields. The Abbey was built in
666 and is the earliest Christian Foundation in
Surrey. It was dissolved in 1538 by Henry VIII
who took most of the stones to build a palace
at Oatlands Place. However, the original fishponds
can still be seen in the Abbey grounds.
Commenting on why they carried out
this work free of charge, Chris Lodge who manages
Lodge Brothers memorial stonemasonry division
said “This was an interesting project on
a site of great historical importance to the people
of Chertsey. As a local, family owned business
we believe it is important we support local community
projects”.
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