When Rylan Clark Neal asked for listeners to get in touch to tell him about their special romantic places, Lee Miles from Hereford phoned to share the story of the lamppost on Castle Green that was so special to him and his wife Michelle.
The couple first declared their love for each other under lamppost 2405 on the green, and, four years later, when they got married, they wanted to say their wedding vows under it. Although that proved impossible they did take their entire wedding party from the Town Hall to the lamppost after the service to have a blessing on the spot that was so special to them.
Lee and Michelle's story caught Rylan's imagination and he declared they should have a plaque installed on the lamppost. As the show is broadcast on a Saturday afternoon, the council weren't available but Mark Hubbard of the Friends of Castle Green was, and when it became clear that a plaque wouldn't be possible, he suggested the couple have a commemorative bench close to 'their' lamppost.
Having established from Mark that the total cost of manufacture and installation of a bench would be £1,500, Rylan set up a JustGiving page and invited listeners to help reach the target by the end of the show.
"He absolutely nailed it," says Mark. "But it was down to the last second!" On Monday morning, the total stood at a shade over £1600.
The couple's bench is part of an ongoing project on Castle Green to replace the plastic benches on the site. "We found three of the original Edwardian benches that have survived and we have had them recreated," Mark explains. "We've done seven or eight out of a total of around 30."
Lee, who already has the number 2405 as a tattoo, was listening on Saturday as the total increased through the show: "I watched it all unfold and we were absolutely blown away," he says. "It's been a mad weekend!
"The lamppost and Castle Green are so special and we always stop as we walk through. And because Michelle has MS, a bench will be massively beneficial when we stop in future."
If you would like to commemorate a loved one with a bench on Castle Green, visit friendsofcastlegreen.org.uk
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