19-05-2025
Restoration of Pride bench in Hitchin is 'sign that love will conquer hate'
A rainbow-coloured bench which was set on fire a month ago has been replaced, with organisers praising the "heartwarming" response from the community.
Members of North Herts Pride said they had raised more than £2,000 to install the new bench at Windmill Hill in Hitchin after the suspected arson attack.
The LGTBQ+ organisation said the new bench was a sign that it refused to let hate dim the spirit of unity, and that love would always conquer hate.
Hertfordshire Police said they were investigating a suspected arson but that no suspect had yet been identified.
The chair of North Herts Pride praised the community response as "heartwarming" after money for the new bench was raised on a fundraising page within two hours.
Organisers are planning a picnic on Windmill Hill on 15 June to coincide with Pride weekend.
Community group Visit Hitchin, which helped restore the bench, said on its Facebook page: "We were sad to see that the bench had been vandalised a couple of weeks ago, but thanks to the generosity of the community, a successful fundraiser was launched and the target smashed.
"So, now the bench is back and brighter than ever!"
