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Heartfelt Tribute At Fairhaven Sea Defence To Honour The Legacy Of Mike Pomfret

Mike Pomfret, the civil engineer who was so instrumental in masterminding and developing the coastal defences at Fairhaven and Church Scar, is to be honoured  and commemorated at the award-winning site. Blackpool-born Mike, who had chronic liver disease from childhood, sadly died on 15th August,2021 at the age of 46.

Mike was so proud of the Fairhaven Sea Wall Project that a last wish before his death was for his ashes to be scattered there. Fylde Council officials, on learning of this wish, suggested a commemorative plaque at the site in his memory. Councillor Roger Small, chairman of Fylde Council’s Operational Management Committee, said: ‘Mike was the unsung hero behind what is a marvellous scheme. He would have been involved in the forthcoming St Anne’s sea defence project and we’ll be thinking of him.’

Therefore, a very special plaque is currently being prepared with the wording: ‘These coastal defences at Fairhaven and Church Scar are dedicated in loving memory to Mike Pomfret (1974-2021).  Mike, Coastal Defences Project Manager, Fylde Borough Council, was instrumental in delivering coastal defence schemes the length of the Fylde Coast. Stretching from Rossall through Blackpool and into Lytham St Anne’s, with the Fairhaven and Church Scar scheme being his last project. Mike was a highly skilled professional, with a dedication to public service which extended beyond his professional life. He was very well-respected and well-liked by all who worked with him, and he is greatly missed by his colleagues, friends and loving family.’

His wife Louise told the Blackpool Gazette, ‘He really transformed the Fylde coastline and it’s wonderful that a plaque will be there to remember him. Mike always enjoyed walking on the sea wall, with his family, watching other families enjoying our local area and appreciating our beautiful coastline. At the beginning of this year, he found out the scheme was awarded the prestigious Sustainability Award from the Institute of Civil Engineers and he was so proud. He asked to have his ashes scattered there. We’re so proud of him. He has left an amazing legacy on the North West coastline and was truly inspirational in all his achievements.’

Before taking up his senior role in Fylde Council, Mike studied at Liverpool University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and going on to obtain a Master’s degree in Maritime Civil Engineering. After this he worked as a maritime engineer for a major engineering consultancy before moving to an engineering and research consultancy; working on maritime projects worldwide gaining a wide breadth of engineering experience.

Along with his wife Louise, Mike leaves a 17-year-old daughter Emily and a 15-year-old son Leo, named after Mike’s grandad Leo Pomfret, who was mayor of Blackpool at the time the £4m Norbreck sea defences were unveiled in north Blackpool in April 1988.  The Norbreck plaque is pictured below.

Pictured below are photographs of the award winning Fairhaven Sea Defence

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