Vera's joy as wall goes back up
CHRISTMAS has come early for a Melton pensioner today as a generous building firm stepped in with glad tidings to repair her garden wall.Worries began on December 4 for 90-year-old Vera Smith when she woke up to find her 80ft Victorian garden wall was pushed over by vandals who rampaged through a normally peaceful area of Melton.
CHRISTMAS has come early for a Melton pensioner today as a generous building firm stepped in with glad tidings to repair her garden wall.
Worries began on December 4 for 90-year-old Vera Smith when she woke up to find her 80ft Victorian garden wall was pushed over by vandals who rampaged through a normally peaceful area of Melton.
But now her worries are over and Mrs Smith, of Hackney Road, today spoke of her gratitude to Ipswich-based builders Rust and Kemp, who have promised to fix the wall following a plea by The Evening Star.
The former cleaner said: "It's marvellous. It is a wonderful early Christmas present. I was really worried about it and I did not know what I was going to do. I cannot thank them enough."
Since the wall was damaged Mrs Smith discovered she was unable to claim for the repairs on her household insurance leaving her with a bill running into of hundreds of pounds.
She said: "I had thought I could claim on insurance but I had a letter saying I wasn't covered. Apparently the wall was too old."
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Vera's daughter Lyn Buttimer spoke of her gratitude to Rust and Kemp for helping out the family.
She said: "I am delighted. It is a big relief for Mum. She can enjoy Christmas now without worrying.
"It would have been a big expense and we are both retired and we haven't got that sort of money.
Mrs Buttimer, 67, a former civilian worker with Suffolk Constabulary thanked Rust and Kemp for stepping in.
She said: "I do not know what we would have done otherwise. The wall might never have been fixed."
But today Vera's troubles were put behind her as builders David Day and Philip Stollery arrived early and started repairing the broken wall.
Rust and Kemp contracts manager Mark Keinzley said his firm was pleased to help the pensioner.
Mr Keinzley said: "It's Christmas and it is the season of good will and it is lovely to be able to help someone out at Christmas time."
Based in The Quadrangle Centre in Nacton Road Rust and Kemp was founded in 1973.
Mr Keinzley said: "David and Philip will take about two days so the wall should be ready in time for Christmas.
"We will take down the loose sections and rebuild the wall. We like to help out every now and again like this."
Suffolk police have since arrested and bailed two teenage boys in connection with the wrecking spree, which caused damage worth thousands of pounds to windows, cars and fences in the Turnpike Lane area of the village.
Do you have a heart-warming story to tell? Has someone shown you festive kindness you didn't expect? Let us know. Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
