Rugeley school remembers local student with friendship bench

A primary school in Rugeley has welcomed the donation of a friendship bench from leading national housebuilder Lovell to honour a local student, Stacey Wilshaw, who tragically passed away in 2000.

Bernette and Brian Wilshaw (Stacey’s parents)

Lovell has been working closely with Stacey’s family to relocate her memorial cherry tree that was planted on the now derelict Aelfgar School site where she played in a number of orchestras, which Lovell is transforming into 58 new homes. The tree has been successfully moved to Etchinghill Primary School, where Stacey was a student and her mother works. To create a space for remembrance, Lovell has also donated a friendship bench to be placed alongside it.

Bernie Wilshaw, Stacey’s mum, said: “The bench is a lovely thought, and I'd just like to say thank you so much to everyone at Lovell for their kindness and generosity, it's very much appreciated by myself, Brian and the rest of our family. Lovell has gone above and beyond in sorting out Stacey's memorial tree, approaching the situation with kindness, sensitivity and very sympathetically.

“We’re also grateful to the school for working with us on this. With Stacey having many happy years with her Etching Hill family, it seems very fitting that the tree will now continue its life there for hopefully many generations of children to see and for them to enjoy the friendship bench too.”

Bernette and Brian Wilshaw (Seated), L-R Becky Jones (Field Sales Manager, Lovell), Nicole Green (Marketing Manager, Lovell), Marie Smith (Head Teacher, Etching Hill Primary school), Dominic Riley (Pre Construction Manager, Lovell), Lisa Preston (Sales Director, Lovell), Mark Tunstall, (Senior Housing Property Office, Cannock Chase Council)

Lovell purchased the brownfield land for the development on Church Street from Cannock Chase Council. Work will commence in early 2025 to build 29 social homes and 29 open market homes to support housing demand in the area.

Lisa Preston, regional sales director at Lovell, said: “From the outset, we’ve worked closely with Mr and Mrs Wilshaw to ensure the memorial tree for Stacey was not only safely relocated but was moved somewhere that they, and the local community, could take a moment for reflection.

"Integrating into the communities in which we build and leaving a lasting legacy is essential for us, and we hope this friendship bench will encourage current and future students to offer support to anyone feeling lonely and establish new friendships.”