When former Wainwright haulier Laurie Banfield died, his daughter Elaine Sharp knew exactly what she’d like to do with his ashes.

“Dad said the quarry was where he belonged. When he died, I wanted to return him to that place he loved so much,” she says.

With that in mind, Elaine contacted Wainwright to ask if Laurie’s ashes could be dispersed in the quarry at Moons Hill. She asked if they could be scattered near a blast site, so that he could remain a part of the Wainwright fabric even in death.

So it was that Elaine came to Moons Hill to witness Laurie’s ashes being included in a blast. She was joined by Aggregates Business Manager Ben Dormer, who made sure the operation was conducted safely and respectfully.

“Dad has now become a part of the process of which he was inordinately proud,” Elaine says. “He can continue his journeys across the South West in the lorries he loved, doing a job he relished.”

Laurie’s connection with Wainwright was lifelong. Born in Stoke St Michael, he worked in the quarry from the age of 16. After a brief time away for National Service and a short stint at the Clarks shoe factory, he returned as a lorry driver – and there he stayed until his retirement at the age of 65.

“Wainwright was fundamental to Dad’s life,” says Elaine. “He always said the quarry was where he belonged. I’m so grateful to the company for allowing us to honour his memory in this way.”