A CEREMONY was held to mark the refurbishment of the gates to the former Army Apprentices’ College in Beachley.

Tragically, the work was finished just days after the death of a former college “old boy” gave a large donation towards the costs.

The gates were “opened” by the new padre of Beachley-based 1 Rifles, Rev Paul Green, who is originally from Cinderford.

They were refurbished in Lydney by M Spray on the Harbour Industrial and returned to Beachley just before Christmas.

Chris Ricketts, of the Beachley Old Boys’ Association, said their arrival was just too late for benefactor James Riches to see.

He said: “They were just four days late in being completed for our good friend James to see them.

“Jim spent a lot of time with us towards the end. He was very generous and thanks to James we’ve got the gates back.”

His widow, Pat, and daughter Terina were among the guests at the ceremony on Wednesday, May 23.

Mr Ricketts said M Spray had done them “proud” with their quality of the workmanship which had involved taking them back to base metal and re-spraying.

Some of the metal scrolls which were bent were also repaired.

Mr Ricketts said: “Martin (Gardner) and Trudy (Burrell) at M-Spray did us proud.

“They have preserved them as they were so they are fit-for-purpose but you can still see they are old.”

Rev Green, who arrived at 1 Rifles recently from the army foundation college in Harrogate, said he had a family connection to Beachley.

He said: “My uncle came here in 1948 and he ended up here as the quartermaster in the late 80s. His name was Ivor Anthony 

“For the family connection alone it is a real privilege to be here to open these gates. 

“It is part of your history and my history as well.” 

The gates were made in the college but nobody is quite sure when but they have certainly been a feature since the early 1960s.