28th April 2010

PORTLAND: In memory of 'a fine councillor and friend'

A NEW stone bench on Portland has been dedicated to the memory of a much loved island town councillor.

Ian Phelps died of cancer two years ago, aged 46, having been born and brought up on Portland where he was also a lay preacher at St Johns Church, Fortuneswell.

He was Mayor of Portland in 2002-2003 and the idea for a bench in his honour was agreed by Portland Town Council and it was decided to have two made.

A lack of seating from Fortuneswell to Castletown meant the first seat was placed by the bus stop near the old police station.

Mr Phelps sometimes found it difficult to walk to the doctors in Castle Road and often commented on the fact that there was nowhere to sit and rest.

Stone for the bench was donated by Stone Firms Ltd of Portland after they were approached by Portland Mayor Councillor Richard Paisley. Plaques were donated by Portland Town Council.

The second bench will be placed at the bottom of Victory Road.

Mr Phelps’ partner, Roy Evans, was also presented with Ian’s past mayor’s badge as a keepsake.

He said he was “very touched” and would always cherish the badge. He thanked the Mayor for such a generous thought.

Mr Phelps’ father, Harry, his brothers and sisters, other members of his family and friends and Portland town councillors were also present at the dedication as was Stone Firms manager Neil Fuller and Portland mayor’s chaplain, the Reverend Christopher Briggs, who conducted the dedication ceremony.

Mr Fuller said: “We are very happy to have donated the stones for the benches and are very pleased to have been able to make a contribution to a fine Idea”.

Mr Paisley said: “ I am delighted that after two years of work the benches are finally in place.“

He added that he was pleased to see that so many of Mr Phelps’ family and friends had come for the dedication service.

Councillor Sandy West said: “I went to have a look at the bench this morning and seeing it in place made me cry.

“Ian was a fine councillor and friend and I miss him every day.“

PICTURE: Some of those who attended the dedication sit on the bench.