Plans for a memorial bench to commemorate a Halstead stalwart are under way.

Major Michael Portway, 89, died on July 26 after a period of poor health.

At its latest meeting last Thursday, Halstead in Bloom discussed the latest developments for the bench, which will be made free of charge by Halstead firm Maycast Nokes.

Mr Portway, 89, started Halstead In Bloom in 2000 and was a dedicated fundraiser and leader until about three years ago, when Margaret Eskins took over and Mr Portway was made club president.

Braintree Council has agreed the bench will go in the town’s public gardens, in Trinity Street, near to the bandstand and dancing green.

A hardstanding will be put down as the district council’s contribution to the scheme.

The bench will have cast metal ends and wooden seating and a mould from an old Tortoise oven door will be set into the seat.

Mr Portway ran the family businesses Charles Portway and Sons and the Tortoise Foundry Co for a number of years until he retired in 2004.

He was also deeply involved in a range of organisations throughout the town, including the Halstead branch of the Royal British Legion, the Chamber of Trade, the Halstead and District History Society, and the Town Team.

Halstead in Bloom will enquire whether to put a plaque on the seat or the base, dedicating it to the popular member of the town who is remembered for always doing what was best for Halstead.

Secretary of Halstead in Bloom, Julia Smith, said: “We needed to do something and the general consensus was a bench would be fitting.

“Michael loved the public gardens.

“The bandstand was given by a member of the Portway family and the drinking fountain was as well so we thought it was appropriate for it to go there.

“It was splendid of Maycast Nokes to do the bench for free.”

The unveiling of the bench is planned for June 24, which would have been Mr Portway’s 90th birthday.

Money that has been put forward by other organisations towards the memorial will be used for a party to celebrate his birthday, Mrs Smith added.