I WOULD like to express my gratitude to Ian Mitchell of Southampton City Council, members of his junior neighbourhood wardens team and local residents who recently gave up their time during half term to clean up the benches next to the Lances Hill car park on Bitterne Road.

Their work is transforming this green space in time for Remembrance Sunday.

Three wooden planters were located next to the benches and wild flowers and poppy seeds have been sown close by.

A World War 1 memorial bench was also installed in the summer.

It hoped to continue improving and upgrading this green space and to rename it as possibly “The Bitterne Reflective and Memorial Garden” with the intention that it is a place where local residents of Bitterne, local shop workers and users of the Bitterne Precinct can go for some quiet reflection.

I am also grateful to the Bitterne Community Corner for including this space in their regular litter picks.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh

Peartree Ward