Council apologises after family devastated by removal of memorial bench

WARRINGTON Borough Council has issued an apology after a family was left devastated by the removal of a memorial bench from Risley Moss.

The heartbroken family discovered the memorial bench had disappeared during a New Year visit.
The council say the bench had to be removed for safety reasons as it had rot – something disputed by the family.

Ste Green took to social media to air his concerns posting on the Birchwood Community Chat Facebook page writing:

“Hi, I am reaching out not only to warn others but, more desperately, to ask for help. About 8 to 10 years ago, myself and my wife paid for a bench at Risley Moss as a memorial for my wife’s Mum and Dad, which also had a plaque in loving memory of them. My family and I would often visit, especially on birthdays, Christmas, and other significant occasions, to remember them. However, when we visited on New Year’s with my niece, the bench was gone.
“My wife has contacted Risley Moss and spoke with a lady named Gaynor, who informed her that the bench had been removed due to rot. This simply isn’t true. I we have recent pictures of the bench, and other than a small split along the seat (which we raised a concern about three months after it was installed), the bench was in good condition. We was told at the time that this split was simply the natural weathering of the wood, and that it was perfectly fine.
“My wife is inconsolable right now. Her parents were cremated, and as a family, we decided to have a bench as a place where we could sit and remember them, and feel close to them, rather than having a headstone at the crematorium. To learn that the bench is gone without any warning is devastating.
When my wife has asked why no one had contacted us to inform us of this, to at least give us the chance to repair the bench or take it home, the lady from the ranger’s office simply said, “Yeah, sorry, we messed up.” When I asked where the bench is now, and if I could we could have it, she said it would be at the bottom car park, cut up with a chainsaw.
“My wife has had to leave work because she is in absolute tears thinking about the fact that they’ve cut her my Mum and Dad’s bench up with a chainsaw. It feels like they’ve desecrated their memorial, and she is heartbroken.
I have asked if I can speak to a manager, and the lady gave me the manager’s email. However, she basically told me not to hold my breath, as he’s “busy doing the job of three people.”
“Is there anyone here who can help, or advise us on who I should speak to in order to have the bench put back? We are beyond frustrated with the way companies and councils think they can just trample over people and act as if it’s no big deal.
“My wife is absolutely heartbroken and said it feels as though her Mum and Dad have died again.
“Just the lack of empathy or common sense or common decency to have least contacted us is beyond belife. Why do “Risly Moss think they can cut up a loved ones memorial with a chain saw and it is perfectly fine.”

A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We would like to sincerely apologise for any distress caused to the family.
“The timber memorial bench was installed at Risley Moss around 2011. An inspection in September 2024 found that the bench unfortunately had rot. For safety reasons, it was cordoned off and the plaque was carefully removed and retained at our site office. Our staff did not set out to cut or destroy the structure – unfortunately the extent of its deterioration caused it to fall apart on removal.
“We are in active discussions with the family and are happy to meet with them to discuss the best way forward.
“Memorial benches on council land are the property of the council and we have a duty to make sure they remain safe to use.”