Son remembers his late dad with the help of some water workers

While scattering of ashes remain popular choice for family and friends to remember loved ones.  Locations such as sporting venues or on a mountain or hilltop are just some places people may think of, when planning to scatter some ashes.

But for John Paul Rossiter 39, from Old Swan, when he saw the giant excavation left behind following the recent water burst at the corner of Prescot Road, opposite the old Grade II listed iconic bank building with its red brick, ornamental windows and slate roof, he knew what he wanted to do with some of his dad’s ashes:

“My dad absolutely loved the old bank building. He was a roofer by trade and would often talk about the repair work he carried out on the building in the past
.
“I think about my dad (John senior) a lot when I see the building and when the recent burst water main created a gigantic hole right outside the building, I thought it would be fantastic if I could place some of my dad’s ashes right up close to the building he loved, said John.

Local residents and visitors to Old Swan will remember the building as the old Barclays Bank, but ever since Messrs Grayson and Ould Architects really went to town with its design, including a tower, a mock belfry, ornamental windows, bay windows, a brick arch or two, a stacked roof with curlecues, the building was always home to a bank, with the first occupants being the Bank of Liverpool from 1906.

Tasked with helping John Paul with his wish, was site manager Paul Williams who is carrying out the repair work for United Utilities.

“It was “just mad” when John came to talk to me with this box in his hand and told me the story about his dad.

“People often like to come and see what’s going on, and sometimes they ask us to help them with something, like moving their car or passing on some information.  I’ve been a water contractor for 28 years and never in my life have I been asked to bury some ashes!  I did wonder if I was being wound up, but when I saw the emotion welling up in John’s eye, I knew it was genuine.  In fact, I think I must have got a bit of grit in my own eye!

 “We’ve got a very big hole which we need to carefully re-construct and fill in, and there’s more than enough room to help out, and I said it would be our pleasure.”

The team took time out to down tools, to allow John Paul and his mum Sue to bury a small box, containing the ashes and a favourite photo of John Paul and his Dad together.

John’s mum Sue said, “It is just typical of John Paul to come-up with such an idea.  At first I didn’t quite believe him, but his dad would have absolutely loved this and I can’t thank the United Utilities team for being so accommodating and considerate.”