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Stalybridge Town Team needs your help to restore benches

Ray Harrison, chair of Stalybridge Town Team, pictured with one of the refurbished benches in Armentieres Square. Credit: Stalybridge Town Team.

Stalybridge is getting a new look, thanks to the work of its Town Team.

For the last 18 months, volunteers have been working on how to update benches in Armentieres Square.

Now the first renovated seats have been installed, it is hoped all 20 will be done up - but it can only be achieved by securing future funding. 

The Town Team is therefore calling for sponsors and donations to help make sure the work is done.

Ray Harrison, chair of Stalybridge Town Team Volunteers, is highly delighted with the outcome and the fantastic look of the new benches.

He said: “We have been working on this project for 18 months with the committee of the Town Team.

“It was decided all the benches in Armentieres Square were looking very tired, so we set about a task and decided to refurbish all 20 benches in the square.

“Our first pilot bench has raised much awareness with all the community and we have had many compliments on the standard of the bench and how nice they look.”

The benches have been refurbished by ‘Works4U Support Services’, Norman Mackie, Louise Grace and the team have shown great enthusiasm in working with Stalybridge Town Team.

The Town Team has now commissioned ‘Works4U Support Services’ to refurbish a further six, but each bench costs £400.

This sees 20 years’ worth of existing paint stripped away, then a new coat applied.

Specialist hardwood timber is also being used, which is stained and then coated with three coats of yacht varnish.

The Town Team has already had businesses pledge to sponsor a bench at a cost of £400 but it says it would be extremely grateful if more businesses come forward.

Stalybridge Town Team is a voluntary organisation and relies on grants and donations as it looks to continue to improve the town centre.

The volunteer group carries out and maintains all the planting in Armentieres Square. It's also the Town Team's hub, which sits on Tesco's car park, and was refurbished in 2020. 

The Town Team has monthly clean-ups - the dates of which are on the front of the hub door. Any volunteers are more than welcome to join in. 

The group also welcomes new members for its popular 100 Club, which costs £12 per year with cash prizes and vouchers from local businesses. All proceeds go back into the town centre projects for all to enjoy.

Anyone who wishes to be part of any of the above can email STT20@outlook.com or telephone 0161 303 7888.

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