National Trust appeal for help to find Alan’s family

AN APPEAL has been launched to help find the family of a man whose memorial bench has fallen into a state of disrepair.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Sep 2014, 10:36 BST
28/8/14- Memorial bench to Alan Wilkinson at Lower Lake, Battle. SUS-140828-12245600128/8/14- Memorial bench to Alan Wilkinson at Lower Lake, Battle. SUS-140828-122456001
28/8/14- Memorial bench to Alan Wilkinson at Lower Lake, Battle. SUS-140828-122456001

The National Trust hopes to replace the dilapidated bench, which is situated at the top of Lake Meadow, near the roundabout at Marley Lane and Upper Lake in Battle.

But the Trust, which owns the meadow, says it has been unable to trace the family of Alan Wilkinson, to whom the bench is dedicated.

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David Lewis, White Cliff and Winchelsea Area Countryside Ranger, said: “About 25 or 30 years ago a memorial bench was placed in the top of Lake Meadow in memory of Alan Wilkinson.

28/8/14- Memorial bench to Alan Wilkinson at Lower Lake, Battle. SUS-140828-12253000128/8/14- Memorial bench to Alan Wilkinson at Lower Lake, Battle. SUS-140828-122530001
28/8/14- Memorial bench to Alan Wilkinson at Lower Lake, Battle. SUS-140828-122530001

“The bench is in a poor state of repair and the National Trust would like to replace it.

“What we would like to know is, are there any family members still in the Battle area to be notified?”

The National Trust’s attempts to trace Mr Wilkinson’s family have so far drawn a blank.

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Mr Lewis said: “We contacted Battle Town Council, but because it is that long ago they do not appear to have any more information.

“The National Trust feel it would be a shame to lose this facility for the town folk to make use of.

“The Ranger team plan to carry out hedge and fallen tree tidy works down the field edge this winter and will be involving volunteers in this.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 07778170452.

Related topics:National TrustBattle