A NEW bench to remember the late Friends of Freshwater Library (FOFL) committee member, Richard Beard, has been installed in the library garden.

The money for the bench was raised by FOFL.

Helen Wood said: "Richard, a sound archivist, loved the library and the diverse West Wight wildlife, but sadly passed away last year.

"It is hoped library users will use this bench to sit on and appreciate the birds and the views around them.

"The bench is inscribed with Richard’s favourite quote: 'I have always imaged that paradise will be a kind of library'."

FOFL committee members, including Richard‘s wife Fern, were among the first people to sit on it.