Friends of Parkinson's Park CIC

Butterfly Bench

The Butterfly Bench nestles in a sheltered spot just below Clapper Brow Wood above the Edison Fields Entrance; the old wooden bench had got rather worn and was collapsing, so we reluctantly took it down. Then, we had a very kind offer of a replacement from the the brethren of Harewood Masonic Lodge, Westbourne House, Otley, which we accepted: a shiny new bench is now in place, one of the four new benches in the Park.

For many decades the spot in the Park near the Kelcliffe Lane Gate, that looks towards the summer setting sun has been a popular place for peace and contemplation. It is an historic ‘memory’ spot known by some older residents as ‘Old Man’s Corner’ where there was a bench in a strange triangular stone walled enclosure – now gone. Back in 2012 we replaced the previous Parkinson bench with a new wooden one, but sadly this irreparably collapsed early in 2020 just before the first Lockdown.

The bench has been sorely missed, so we are more than delighted to announce that a new bench has now been installed with the help of Ben and Lucyanne Harris. The bench is dedicated to their young son Freddie who was one of twins born in December 2013, but who returned to the angels a few days later. Freddie’s sister is now a lively 7 year old enjoying the sledging in the Park.

Parkinson’s Park too now has a ‘Natter Bench’, just inside the Farm Gate between the fir trees.

The idea of a Natter Bench is for people who feel lonely and would like a chat to sit on the bench and make new friends, whilst allowing for “passers-by to take some time out and speak with someone who may be feeling in need of some company”.