A commemorative bench has been unveiled in memory of a couple’s tireless dedication to a historic Middlesbrough Park.
Doreen and John Fearns were long-serving members of the Friends of Stewart Park following the group’s formation in 2007.
The couple played a key role in the Friends’ fund-raising efforts on behalf of the park.
John was also well known as a steward at the weekly Stewart Park Parkrun, and was a familiar figure on the course at the spot where the new bench has been installed near the Lower Lake.
Doreen was also a member of the Marton Community Centre Group where she chaired the Afternoon WI.
Anyone running at Stewart parkrun over the years will remember the familiar smiling face of John turning up on his bike wind, shine or rain to help guide runners around the corner at the bottom of the park.
The plaque on the new bench reads:
In Memory of
Doreen and John Fearns
Friends of Stewart Park
And the Park Run
Friends of Stewart Park Chairman Tom Mawston said: “Organisations like the Friends of Stewart Park can’t exist without people like Doreen and John.
“They were well-known and much-loved figures in Marton, and John’s tweed hat even earned him the nickname ‘the man in the hat’ among Parkrunners.
“This bench is a deserved and lasting tribute to their selfless dedication to their community.”
A second bench commemorating the work of the Friends of Stewart Park has been installed in the park’s Rose Garden.
Among the invited guests at this week’s unveiling was Councillor Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Education & Culture.
Cllr Storey said: “We need to be better at thanking our community volunteers, and this is a great example of how to do that.
“People who dedicate their time to making the community better, like volunteering to steward the Parkruns, deserve our thanks.
“The beautiful bench organised by Tom Mawston and the Friends of Stewart Park is a fitting tribute.”
L-R: Ann Thomas, Liz Moralee, Mary Moralee, Deputy Mayor Cllr Philippa Storey, Paul and Joanne Fearns, Jackie Kendrew, Friends of Stewart Park Chairman Tom Mawston and Bob Kendrew
Doreen and John Fearns were long-serving members of the Friends of Stewart Park following the group’s formation in 2007.
The couple played a key role in the Friends’ fund-raising efforts on behalf of the park.
John was also well known as a steward at the weekly Stewart Park Parkrun, and was a familiar figure on the course at the spot where the new bench has been installed near the Lower Lake.
Doreen was also a member of the Marton Community Centre Group where she chaired the Afternoon WI.
Anyone running at Stewart parkrun over the years will remember the familiar smiling face of John turning up on his bike wind, shine or rain to help guide runners around the corner at the bottom of the park.
The plaque on the new bench reads:
In Memory of
Doreen and John Fearns
Friends of Stewart Park
And the Park Run
Friends of Stewart Park Chairman Tom Mawston said: “Organisations like the Friends of Stewart Park can’t exist without people like Doreen and John.
“They were well-known and much-loved figures in Marton, and John’s tweed hat even earned him the nickname ‘the man in the hat’ among Parkrunners.
“This bench is a deserved and lasting tribute to their selfless dedication to their community.”
A second bench commemorating the work of the Friends of Stewart Park has been installed in the park’s Rose Garden.
Among the invited guests at this week’s unveiling was Councillor Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Education & Culture.
Cllr Storey said: “We need to be better at thanking our community volunteers, and this is a great example of how to do that.
“People who dedicate their time to making the community better, like volunteering to steward the Parkruns, deserve our thanks.
“The beautiful bench organised by Tom Mawston and the Friends of Stewart Park is a fitting tribute.”
L-R: Ann Thomas, Liz Moralee, Mary Moralee, Deputy Mayor Cllr Philippa Storey, Paul and Joanne Fearns, Jackie Kendrew, Friends of Stewart Park Chairman Tom Mawston and Bob Kendrew