THERE’S something about a memorial bench which is moving and thought-provoking.

Whenever I pass one I like to take the time to read the plaque to see who it’s for.

If I sit on one, it makes me reflect on life and take in the moment.

There are a few of them on Ham Common and coincidentally I have a friend who told me his family had placed a bench in honour of his father near the bandstand in Kingston.

It was a short distance from where I lived at that time, so I’d sometimes pop down, say “hello” and spend some time watching the river and the people passing by.

I’m not sure if you’ve had time to read the article in the paper this week about the council’s plea for relatives of people who have memorial benches on the Queen’s Promenade to come forward?

Well if you get the chance, have a read because it really struck a chord with me.

Firstly, because I want families to come forward so that the benches can be respectfully moved to another location, but also because each one of those benches or plaques tells a story of someone’s life and legacy.

At the end of the day, each and every one of us plays a part in this life story, no matter who we are or how important we or others may perceive us to be.

None of us likes to think about the inevitable, but hey, you may as well have a say as to how you want to be remembered.

So I’ve said to Michael that I’d like to have a bench – though this obviously depends on who goes first – and I’d like it placed within our wonderful borough of Kingston upon Thames.

It’s not where I grew up, but it’s a place I’ve grown to love and where I have had some amazing, memorable moments.

All I need to do now is decide on a spot, and that may prove difficult!