Memorial Bench Honours Much-Loved Street Cleaner
Written by HFM News on 18th February 2026
A new memorial bench has been unveiled in Market Harborough to celebrate the life of a much-loved street cleaner.
Billy Kimpton, who died last October aged 73, spent three decades caring for the town’s streets and was widely remembered for his cheerful and positive nature.
Featuring a special commemorative plaque, “Billy’s Bench” has been placed on The Square by Harborough District Council.
The bench was officially unveiled by Billy’s niece, Karen Kimpton, alongside council chairman Cllr Peter James and his consort Christine Etherington, with other family members in attendance.
Karen told HFM it’s a fitting tribute:
Karen Kimpton and Cllr Peter James on the new memorial bench, with inset photos of Billy Kimpton and the commemorative plaque
Billy dedicated his entire working life to the council, beginning aged 16 in the early 1970s and continuing for 30 years until his retirement.
Cllr James, who worked as a council officer and managed Billy for several years, spoke to HFM at the bench unveiling:
Billy pictured with friend Askar Ali in the town centre 1990s.
The bench is among several new seats being added to The Square by the district council, as part of wider street realm improvements funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
