Graham’s ‘garden’ restored after vandals strike

A canal side memory garden created by family and friends of a well-known Welshpool man has been given a makeover after it was damaged by vandals.

The beautiful area with a bench, tree and flower bed was created beside Belan Locks three years ago to remember Graham Spencer who died in 2019 aged 66.

Graham was born and lived nearby all his life. His family lived and worked on the Powis Estate and Graham’s first job as a youth was looking after the Earl of Powis’s dogs.

His love of the countryside saw him working as a landscaper with the Severn Vale Seed Company and later with Powys County Council. He was also a talented fell runner and loved nothing more than competing alongside friends at his club, the Mercia Fell Runners.

Graham’s wife Dianne was granted special permission for the bench and planting three years ago.

She recalls: “Graham (pictured) used to run up the canal every day, and when he became ill and couldn’t run, we would walk every day. He also cared for that stretch of the canal, sweeping up the leaves and chatting away to people.

“Putting in a bench and a tree and a little flower bed seemed such a lovely way to remember Graham. It was a group of local volunteers from the Canal and Rivers Trust who sorted out the permission and helped to install a concrete pad for the bench to stand on. They were so kind.”

Graham’s family and friends loved visiting the bench and recalling happy times with Graham. But sadly, at the end of last year, mindless vandals snapped the rowan tree and messed up the flower garden.

Dianne was deeply upset by the vandalism but determined to rebuild the tribute to Graham.

With the help of her former neighbour and friend, Nic, who works at the Derwen Garden Centre, she bought and planted a bigger replacement Rowan tree and tidied the garden.

“It’s such a pretty native tree with flowers in the spring and colour in the Autumn. I do hope it is allowed to thrive now, and support the local wildlife and bring a smile to people’s faces. Graham would like that.”

PICTURE ONE: Graham's family with the newly planted tree

PICTURE TWO: Volunteers from the Canal and Rivers Trust were happy to see the new tree planted.