Widower 'devastated' by memorial bench fire

The memorial bench was destroyed by fire over the weekend

A widower has said he is devastated by the destruction of a memorial bench for his late wife.

The seat was installed in Daventry Country Park, in Northamptonshire, after William McDonald's wife died suddenly,

It was destroyed by fire over the weekend,

The campaigner Daventry Banksie, who made her name putting up notices about potholes, has left a condolence board and pens so people can offer words of comfort.

The seat was installed in 2021 in memory of Linda McDonald

The wooden bench was installed on the banks of the reservoir at Daventry Country Park by the family of Linda McDonald.

Her husband said: "My wife passed away in 2020.

"She was 59 years old and it was a sudden passing - it was completely out of the blue."

William McDonald's wife Linda died suddenly at the age of 59 in 2020

The family needed somewhere where they could go and remember Linda's life, so a wooden bench was positioned in the park with a view over the reservoir in 2021.

Mr McDonald said: "It was in a beautiful area, you could sit there, relax, reflect, and think about the past.

"The kids and grandkids could go up there and put flowers on the bench."

There is nothing left of the bench at the site

Over the weekend, Mr McDonald was scrolling through social media posts when he saw one about a memorial bench being set on fire.

Someone had asked about the precise location of the seat and it became clear that it was Linda's bench that had been destroyed.

Mr McDonald said: "I just couldn't believe it, it just brings everything back when Linda passed away.

"We were devastated, the whole family."

He says that he has received a lot of supportive messages on social media, and the both the rangers and the cafe staff at the country park have been "lovely".

Daventry Banksie has left a condolence book and pens at the site

Daventry Banksie, the anonymous campaigner who made headlines earlier in the year by putting up pothole signs, has put a book and pens at the site so people can write condolence messages.

Mr McDonald described that gesture as "a lovely thought".

Northamptonshire Police said the bench was set on fire just before midnight on 29 June and they appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.