On this day in 2024, a memorial bench was unveiled at the Village Green Tea Rooms in honour of Brian Turner, a beloved chef who passed away after a short battle with lung cancer. Brian, who was 58 years old, had dedicated 13 years of his life to the tearoom, where he was renowned for his delicious pies, quiche, and the popular ‘Brian special’ BLT with mayonnaise. Following his death on December 11, the tearoom installed the bench outside, providing a space for patrons to sit, relax, and remember Brian.

His daughter, Megan Turner, expressed her gratitude, stating, "We have raised over £850 in a Just Giving page and some money raised at the tearooms too." She added, "The bench is up, in time for his birthday - happy 59th birthday daddy." Megan shared that the remaining funds would be donated to The Christies and the palliative care team.

She fondly recalled her father’s passion for cooking, saying, "He loved doing full English’s, but he had the special Brian's BLT that people loved a lot." She reminisced about the times she spent with him at the tearoom, noting, "On my days off we used to come up to tearooms to see dad and have one of his breakfast specials, he put such love and care into the food." Brian's legacy will continue at the tearoom, with ‘Brian’s BLT’ now a permanent fixture on the menu.

Megan remarked, "Having the bench up at the tearooms is special because it's where he loved to be, winding up the staff." She also highlighted the strong bond he had with customers, saying, "The tearoom is like a family and I'm forever grateful for them looking after my dad." As the community gathered to remember Brian, Megan expressed her anticipation for the summer, stating, "I’m really looking forward to the summer where we can sit outside on the bench and just relax knowing that the bench is for my dad, and he is missed and loved by many.

" She concluded with a heartfelt sentiment, "There is no expiration date on the love between a father and his child." T his article was first published on April 6, 2024..