Gates are refurbished after funeral bequest

THE stunningly ornate gates to the council's Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey have been refurbished and erected as a funeral bequest of the son of the original benefactor, Alderman Charles Archibald Jacobs.

The CA Jacobs Memorial Gates had fallen into disrepair after almost 50 years and when Archie's son, Charles Ronald Jacobs, the former England rugby captain, died unexpectedly in November 2002, the family decided to fund the refurbishments of the gates in his memory.

The original gates were a gift from the National Union of Farmers and Whittlesey Agricultural Society in memory of 'Archie' Jacobs, for their appreciation of his devoted service to agriculture.

Son Charles Ronald Jacobs pledged to refurbish the gates in memory of his father, but he died before the task could be completed. The Jacobs family then undertook to complete the work on his behalf.

The family carried much of the £1,500 cost of the refurbishment in the knowledge that the beautiful gates will give pleasure to future generations of people in Whittlesey. Fenland District Council chipped in to ensure the work was completed and the gates erected.

The ceremony to officially open the gates was a real Jacobs family affair, with some members of the family travelling from Newcastle for the occasion.

Council chairman, Councillor Pam Potts, said: "We are very grateful for the generosity of three generations of the Jacobs family. Their public spirited memorial is much appreciated by the council and the people of Whittlesey."

Andrew Jacobs, said: "I would like to thank the council for helping to make this happen. There are four generations of Jacobs at this dedication ceremony and we are delighted that our family has been able to continue contributing to the local community. I am particularly pleased with these lovely gates because it was my father's wish to see them renovated as a lasting memorial to his father, Alderman 'Archie' Jacobs.