VISITORS to the volunteer-restored Blackfriars Rose Gardens in Hereford now have a  smart new  bench to sit and admire the magnificent display of hundreds of roses alongside the ancient ruins of the 13th-century Blackfriars monastery, writes George Thomas.

The bench has been donated to the garden by Louise Hamilton of Allensmore as a memorial to her husband Jim, a  computer software expert who died in May, aged 80.

But it is as an outstanding member of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest community service organisation, which he joined in 1983 in Surrey, that Jim’s record as a dedicated  community volunteer is on the plaque.

He was president of Hereford Lions two years ago and also of Ross-on-Wye Lions when the family retired to the town in 1996, moving to Allensmore seven years ago.

He had also served as a district governor and chairman of the Lions' national information technology committee.

The city Lions club sponsored a large bed of roses and Jim played a part in the official replanting of the rose gardens three years ago with fellow Lions.

The family were joined by fellow Lions for the dedication of the bench, presented by Louise to Anne Harbour, team leader of the Friends of Blackfriars Rose Gardens. Tributes were paid to Jim by Sian Bayliss, the new president of Hereford Lions, who was sponsored as a  first women member by Jim three years ago.

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