Wales & West Utilities Team Leader, Alan Bailey, Councillor Keith Peto at Huish Episcopi Parish Council with local veteran, Brian Hilson (Ex Royal Corps of Signals) and Wales & West Utilities Performance Manager, Travis Wheatle

Gas emergency and pipeline service has left a legacy to the village of Huish Episcopi which will allow war veterans and other wheelchair-bound residents to pay their respects throughout the year.

The company, which has been carrying out essential work in the area for the past month, has installed a drop kerb in front of the Huish Episcopi War Memorial to allow everyone up the poignant village memorial.

The work in Huish Episcopi was essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses in the area so that people are safe and warm for generations to come.

When we were approached about this, we wanted to help provide a solution that assisted the local war veterans.

Dropping the kerb has been a small job but one that means such a lot to the local community. We hope that it makes a difference to people now and into the futureTravis Wheatle, Wales & West Utilities Performance Manager

Each year on Armistice Day villagers gather to pay their respects but the raised kerb has stopped some of our wheelchair-bound veterans from laying their wreaths at the memorial.

I was talking to the engineers at Wales & West Utilities about the situation and they very kindly agreed to do the necessary work to drop the kerb.

As a community we are delighted that Wales & West Utilities has been able to do this for us. It is such a boon, not only at Armistice, but throughout the year when people come to remember their loved ones.

This small gesture will mean that everyone will be able to pay their respects for years to come. It means a great deal to all of us and I’d like to thank Wales & West Utilities for doing this work for our community.

Councillor Keith Peto, Huish Episcopi Parish Council

Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night. Before visiting, we'll ask you to let us know if you or anyone in your household, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. We'll still come and help you: but our teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe.