Staff and students of Pembrokeshire College have completed a community project with Narberth CP School to renovate a special bench in memory of a former popular pupil.

The students within the College’s carpentry and welding department said that they were ‘honoured’ to have been asked to repair a commemorative bench for Shelley-Louise Harries by her parents, grandparents, Rotary and Round Table clubs, and worked collaboratively over the last two months using recycled materials, where possible, to up-cycle the bench.

This was made even more meaningful for Pembrokeshire College, now that Shelley’s sister, Tiegan, is also employed there.

Popular teenager Shelley-Louise (known to her family and friends as Shelz) passed away in 2010 after a courageous fight against lymphoma cancer.

Born and brought up in Narberth, Shelley-Louise was a real character who everyone loved and throughout her illness she maintained her bubbly personality and always looked on the bright side.

From her early years, she took part in many community events and activities. She enjoyed performing and singing and her first appearance on stage was during a Civic Week talent show which she thoroughly enjoyed.

A former pupil at Narberth CP School and Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland, Shelley-Louise also had plenty to shout about when she became Narberth town crier, after her mum Beverley, hung up her bell, making Shelz at the age of 12 - the youngest town crier in the whole of Great Britain!

The bench will be placed in the Sensory Garden that is currently being restored at Narberth School.

A huge thank you goes to everyone involved in restoring this beautiful bench.

Mary Adams of Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club said: “So delighted to make this project happen. Our thanks to Dave Evans, deputy principle at Pembrokeshire College, the staff and the students for restoring this beautiful memorial bench to Shelley.

“How lovely that Shelley’s mum Beverley and her sister Tiegan were able to be there for the big reveal.”

Kate Moore from Narberth School added: “This is wonderful news. We are all extremely grateful at the school. Thank you so much, on such a great collaborative project.”

Shelley’s mum Beverley and her sister Tiegan are pictured at the College with staff members and Rotarian Mary Adams for the big reveal.