A SIZEABLE crowd attended the unveiling ceremony in Alresford of a memorial bench for community activist Pam Stevens.

It is the first time a former trustee of New Alresford Town Trust has been so commemorated.

Several members of her family attended the event on The Avenue, with the bench unveiled by MP Steve Brine.

Robin Atkins, trust chairman, remembered Pam as a hard working and devoted trustee for 12 years. She was actively involved in building up the town trust’s minibus operation and the markets in Broad Street.

Pam also was responsible for building up markets in Broad Street, recruiting stalls for the small but successful Thursday market and extending specialist markets to French, Italian and Brocante market organised by Jackie Edwards twice yearly.

Mr Atkins said Pam’s efforts were instrumental in making the trust an important organisation in the fabric of Alresford.

Both Rotary and The Pigs charities had worked to help finance the bench as did Peter Bridges/Paul Daubeney who admired Pam’s work for the community.

Mr Brine said: “Pam was, in so many ways, Mrs Alresford and she put so much into the town to help so many people. She was never bothered who got the credit, she just wanted to get things done and she certainly did this time and time again. Alresford will certainly miss Pam Stevens and so will I.”

Mark Stevens, Pam’s elder son, summed up Pam’s devotion when visiting her in hospital she was working on her laptop doing trust work. He thought The Avenue was a fitting place, which his mother loved, for the bench.

After the ceremony the public were able to visit the two minibuses both in pristine condition, six classic cars organised by John Hankin (whose late father purchased the first Town’s minibus) and Peter Bridges.

The Town council, Rotary and Pigs showed off their good work and New Leaf volunteers gave out literature to promote the fight against climate change.

Everyone enjoyed this memorable occasion organised by Trustee, Penny Mcclelland and her volunteers.