Now a chance to sit at Mewsbrook and remember Val

Val Ricketts died earlier this year aged 57, the day before she and her husband Bob were due to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.

Julie Covey, Keith Croft and Angela Brown, close friends of Val, organised two events to celebrate her life, a disco at the United Services' Club and a music quiz at Wick Football Club.

And now the proceeds have paid for the bench, which has a lovely view over the picturesque lake at Mewsbrook Park.

Bob, of Southfields Road, has thanked everyone who helped to fund the bench, and Tom Jenner, of Arun District Council, for placing it in the park.

"Val would be proud of having so many excellent friends. She will always be remembered as a wonderful person by everyone who knew her, and is greatly missed by all, especially me.

"I will visit the park and sit and think about her frequently.

"She loved Mewsbrook, and we often walked our dog here."

Val was a keen member of Little-hampton Bonfire Society and was Miss Bonfire in her youth and surplus money from the events will fund a new trophy for Bonfire Night in her memory.