Come and Sit on our Bench
The Coronation commemorative bench at the top of the footpath to Bolehill is now officially open! In a well-attended ceremony on 19th October we donated one of our Dale bench’s, cut the ribbon, ably assisted by Edward Evans (and Mum). Edward, one of the youngest members of the community has family roots in Bolehill which go back several generations.
Bolehillites old and young were quick to grab a photo-opportunity on the new, recycled plastic seat which, which requires no maintenance and will last a lifetime. There were several speeches and also thanks to local volunteers from BIG, the Bolehill and Steeple Grange Improvement Group, who gave up their time to complete the bench base and steps. There was even an ode, to mark the occasion, followed by tea and cake in the Institute and a chance to see a display of Bolehill and Steeple Grange history mounted by the village’s In Living Memory project.
On the occasion of the opening of the Bolehill Bench, a poem was read…
If you’re walking up from Wirksworth
past the railway; through the fields,
take a rest.
Heading up to Barrel Edge? Then
catch your breath before the climb,
and take a rest.
Too much shopping in that backpack?
Got a stone inside your boot?
Then take a rest.
Here’s a bench just where it’s needed
here’s a bench to welcome you.
Sit on our bench.
Set up high above the parked cars
feast your eyes on fields and hills
from our bench.
Behind you, there’s our village.
So welcome visitors and friends
to Bolehill’s bench.
 
 