A packed town council meeting stood and gave a minute’s applause tonight (April 20) in memory of Nantwich legend Michael “Flash” Meakin.
Flash passed away earlier this week at home, sparking thousands of tributes and fond memories across social media.
The 80-year-old has been a regular sight in the town for more than 50 years, pushing his cart around and collecting scrap metal and tin cans for recycling.
Many have called for Flash to be remembered with a memorial or statue in the town.
Suggestions have included creating a monument in his name using his famous hand-cart and metal objects.
Councillors and members of the public at a packed Nantwich Town Council annual meeting tonight paid tribute to him.
He had been nominated for a Mayor’s “Salt of the Earth” award, due to be handed out later this year.
Cllr Arthur Moran said: “It would be very fitting if we still presented this award to Flash posthumously.
“He received a lot of nominations and I think we should still go ahead. Thank you, Flash, for all the work you did for our town.”
Local resident Charlotte Smith told the meeting in a written proposal: “I posted on Facebook what we could do to honour this community legend.
“He never let this community down and we wanted to propose a Justgiving Page to help fund a memorial in his name.
“It could be made of metal and recycled cans which would represent his life, and it would show what he meant to all of us over the years.”
Jeff Stubbs, chair of Nantwich Civic Society, said the organisation would be prepared to offer some funds towards a memorial bench or similar in Flash’s name.
Funeral plans for Flash have not been published yet.
Thank goodness at least one person posting has pointed out notoriety and longevity are different than being legendary. Flash was certainly well known, but Legend? He was a Victorian scrap man 100 years after they died out not an eco-hero. Sad news for those that knew him I’m sure but memorials and Council applause are entirely inappropriate unless I am missing something about what made him a legend?
Don’t you think a statue is a little over the top? Flash wasn’t picking up scrap metal as some kind of public service it was his ‘job’ and he earnt well from it.
I know Flash was a local celeb pushing his cart around but in ten years or so he’ll be forgotten, not saying that in a nasty way just the way things are as other than family and friends we’re all pretty much anonymous in the long run.
He should have a proper memorial. He was a big part of our town and should always remain so.
Personally I think Flash Deserves more than a Bench, while the offer is a Great Gesture, the Guy was a Legend, a Statue or Memorial has been suggested, this would be more fitting.