Longstanding supporter of the RNIB, Rosemary Rigby has unveiled the last in a trio of plaques on the Wishing Well at the Caroline Symonds Garden in Ross-on-Wye.

When Rosemary started work as a fundraiser for the charity, which helps the blind and partially sighted, in 1966 she regularly drove past the area which became the Caroline Symonds Garden. At that time it had only just been bequeathed to Ross Town Council and Rosemary told the Ross Gazette it looked like a ploughed field but she watched as the Council workmen planted trees and turned it into an attractive place for the town.

Rosemary knew that the RNIB was about to celebrate its 100th anniversary and thought a wishing well to raise funds for the charity would be an attractive addition to the area. And in 1968, the anniversary year, it was opened by the popular actress at the time, Noel Gordon. Rosemary said there was a rose bed and a beautiful tree and it was a lovely place.

Twenty-five years later Rosemary was still working with the RNIB and Rosemary ensured there was a second plaque at the Wishing Well.

She retired in 1996 after 30 years of fundraising with them and was given the title of Honorary Fundraising Ambassador. She earmarked the year 1995 - 1996 as Rosemary’s Year and set herself a target of £30,000 but by the end had raised £82,000.

This year was the 150th anniversary of the RNIB and Rosemary wished to mark the occasion with a third plaque. She said it is a shame the Wishing Well can no longer be used to collect donations, as sadly too many people had stolen money from it and the Caroline Symonds Garden may no longer be the pride and joy of Ross but the plaque still marks the 150th anniversary.