A HANDCRAFTED wooden bench dedicated to former councillor and Blackbird Leys community champion Val Smith was unveiled at Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground (BLAP) yesterday.

Mrs Smith’s husband, Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, unveiled the new addition before a crowd of onlookers in the play area off Cuddesdon Way.

The bench was created over several weeks by staff at Dunnock Way furniture firm Pathway Workshop, which trains and employs adults with physical and learning disabilities.

A dedication on the seat reads: “In memory of Val Smith, who did so much for the children of Blackbird Leys”.

Mr Smith said: “Thank you all for inviting me to this wonderful, moving event. Children in Blackbird Leys meant an enormous amount to Val and it was work with BLAP in its early days that brought Val into local politics. She would have been touched by this.

The most important thing we can do is carry on the work with BLAP – it’s great to see the children enjoying themselves, especially on a damp day like this.”

He added that he was proud to see the bench had been made at Pathway Workshop, a “great local organisation”.

In her political life Val Smith represented the Leys on Oxford City Council from 1987 to 2005 and then from 2007 to 2014, and on the county council from 2005 to 2014. She died after a battle with cancer in May last year.

Former colleague and Lord Mayor of Oxford Rae Humberstone said at the event: “When we were out canvassing Val liked a good natter. A bench where you can sit down and have a natter, and talk about the events of the day, seems appropriate. And I am sure Val will be there with them.”