Park memorial unveiled for Littlehampton community figure who died unexpectedly

So it was fitting to mark the unveiling of a statue for a beloved town figure with teddy bears rather than people.

Due to social distancing rules, the 100 well wishers that attended the unveiling of Chris Blanchard-Cooper’s statue in Mewsbrook Park on Tuesday could not appear in a photo together. So instead they each left a cuddly toy to accompany the family of wooden bears for the beginning of their long picnic.

More than £3,500 was raised by the public towards the wooden statues in memory of the president of the Littlehampton Musical Comedy Society and Arun District councillor, who passed away unexpectedly on April 30 from non-coronavirus related health complications. He was 45.

His widower Billy came up with the idea and said the unveiling was ‘incredibly emotional’, adding: “It made what could have been a very hard, painful day something to look forward to.

“I can’t thank people enough for their support, donations and comments.”

Made by local chainsaw artist Simon Groves, the three bears have a lot of meaning behind them: not just because Chris loved teddy bears, but because the last show he directed for the Littlehampton Musical Comedy Society was Goldilocks and the Three Bears – the first show he directed that won a National Amateur Dramatic Association Award.

The design also includes references to his involvement in the Littlehampton Bonfire Society and Friends of Mewsbrook Park, as well as his signature straw cowboy hat and love of Marmite.

“This is something happy to come out of it and something everyone can love,” Billy said.

He asked if any further donations could be made to the Friends of Mewsbrook Park, as they planned to add to the teddy bear sculpture in future – with Billy adding that he already had the next design in mind.