A BENCH has been unveiled as a fitting tribute to life of a Halstead community stalwart.

Halstead in Bloom arranged for the bench to be placed in Halstead Public Gardens in memory of Major Michael Portway who co-founded the group in 1999.

Major Portway died aged 89 on July 26 last year and the bench was unveiled last Friday on what would have been his 90th birthday.

His son, Charles Portway, said: “I think his community involvement came very naturally to him, he was very passionate about the town and wanted to be involved as much as possible.

"The last few years my mother was unwell, and he would enjoy going to all these meetings because he would get up and talk about things outside the home and he thoroughly enjoyed that.

“He was a very busy man. Between business, his passion for gardening and local affairs he didn’t have a lot of other time.

“It is very nice to know that he is remembered and well regarded, to us in the family he means something very different to everyone else but it is warming to know that others thought so highly of him and he is well respected.”

Major Portway inherited his love for the community from his mother, who was heavily involved with the town council when he was growing up.

Halstead in Bloom co-founder, Julia Smith, said: “Michael was very well respected throughout the town and will be remembered for his impish sense of humour and his zest for life.

“He kept the team members of Halstead in Bloom upbeat when going was tough, when the rain was pouring as we were trying to plant and when pests and diseases destroyed the floral displays.

“He used to write little poems, silly rhymes that made us chuckle and he loved words and plays on words. “

Michael was always ready to promote Halstead and to champion Halstead in Bloom and we miss him. We will always be grateful for his leadership and for his belief in the team.”

At the ceremony, Humes the Bakers provided the refreshments, Maycast Nokes provided the bench and Daniel Robinson & Sons provided the plaque.

Halstead in Bloom, Halstead History Society, Halstead Chamber of Commerce, Halstead Royal British Legion and the Portway family were all present.

On the plaque are iron castings of the turtles: the sign of Portway Stoves.