VETERAN Redditch resident Pete Harris has set up a ‘fence of fun’ to lift spirits during the coronavirus lockdown.
Pete’s fence runs alongside the path from Webheath to Morton Stanley Park and over the past few weeks the 75-year-old’s been inundated with jokes ‘on the computer thing’.
“Many of them were simply brilliant so I had the bright idea of pinning these up on the fence, a few each day in sequence,” he said.
Little did he suspect that they’d become something of a tourist attraction with people chuckling away at the posters.
“I have even had letters of thanks posted through the letterbox,” said Pete.
“From what started off as a crazy idea – that was my wife’s take on it – there is a regular stream turning up each day and now people are leaving their own jokes for me to pin up.”
The laughter has added to the community spirit among the residents in Fenwick Close where Pete lives.
VE Day was no exception with people enjoying the toast to the Queen from the comfort of their front gardens.
“The smell of barbecues filled the clear unpolluted air, as did the sound of laughter,” said Pete.
“Because charity fundraising has literally hit the wall, it was decided to hold a fund raising raffle and as we were celebrating VE Day, we remembered those who served, and in particular those who looked after ex-service personnel in the aftermath.
“It was with great pleasure that a sum of £432 was raised and will be going to the Royal British Legion for them to continue to help those in need and their families.
“So well done lovely people of Fenwick Close.”
