A specially crafted memorial bench has now been installed on Nantwich riverside in honour of local character Michael “Flash” Meakin.
Flash was a familiar figure throughout Nantwich for more than five decades as the town’s “metal man” – collecting scrap, cans and unwanted metal and, in doing so, helping the community and the environment.
The bespoke memorial bench captures the spirit of Flash’s life and work.
Its arm-rests are crafted from wheels reminiscent of those on his scrap-metal truck, honouring the way he travelled around town each day.
The back-rest incorporates cut-outs of pieces of scrap metal—materials Flash spent a lifetime collecting and recycling—symbolising his dedication to repurposing items for the good of the community.
Positioned near the River Weaver, just off Queen’s Drive and close to the Gerard Drive area where Flash lived for many years, the bench provides a place for quiet reflection for those who knew him well and for anyone inspired by his story.
The memorial bench has been made possible through a blend of crowd funding and local partnership support.
£490 was secured through community crowd funding, helping to kick-start the project.
The remaining costs were jointly covered by Nantwich Partnership and Nantwich Town Council, whose commitment ensured the bench could progress from a community idea to a permanent and meaningful.
Flash’s niece, Debbie Walker, who was there to see the installation of the bench, said: “I’m blown away with the construction, and thank all those involved in its design.
“I also wish to thank the community for helping to fund the bench and I hope many of you have some good hours sitting here, especially during the summer months.”
Mark H Totally agree, it was supposed to be funded by his so called fans certainly not via the council, why does he deserve a bench in his name? I can think of many other worthies to honour, quite bemused as the last time I spotted him, he was frantically emptying out tin cans from a green litter bag that had just been tied up for collection on Snow hill, he was not bothered that there were now holes in this bag and several hours of the volunteer folk litter picking efforts now wasted as contents were now strewn on the paths what a disgrace, no he did nothing for the community that didn’t actually line his pockets first, the collection of scrap was for him, not for charity, and you could not stand him alongside the many volunteer litter pickers, keeping this town brilliant and say he was doing a great service!!
You have No respect for a man who went about his business and didn’t want help.
I knew flash back in the 1970s he never scrounged of the state or asked for handouts.
What you have said about him is disrespectful and you should look in the mirror and judge yourself.
Nice tribute
I knew Im he was as grand as he could be a nice man your right he did collect all sorts of bits n pieces
You miserable idiot, Flash was a legend.
Nobody will remember your sad ass.
Maybe do a little bit more work, or better paid work and your council tax won’t be such a burden.
A disgraceful waste of the little money the council has. If you recall, when this was proposed it was ALL going to be publicly funded – the council said as much. Flash was one of the town’s “characters” but in no way deserves a memorial – he wasn’t recycling for the good of the community, he was doing it for his own benefit. If he was such a “legend” it would have been easy to raise the thousands this undoubtedly cost.
Nantwich Council needs a complete shake up, to stop living in the rose-coloured past and address the issues that affect the town now.
I always thought Flash lived on Lea Drive, did when I lived in ‘twich’. Bet that cost a lot more than the £490 raised, the partnership and council must have money to burn.
That is brilliant. Well done to those who designed it.