New seats mark milestone of outstanding landscape

There are plans to install 25 natural log benches to mark the silver jubilee of the countryside since it received designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Local people are being encouraged to suggest suitable locations for the benches to mark the 25th anniversary. Members of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) which manages the AONB said the chosen locations could be at sites where there is a spectacular view, or quiet places where people can just pause for a while and contemplate.

The JAC’s chairman, Coun Clare Wood, who helped put the first log bench in place near Castle Howard, said: “The Howardian Hills are much-loved by both local people and visitors, and they have some truly spectacular viewpoints. The simplicity of the natural oak logs, which have been sourced from woodland in the AONB as part of normal woodland management work, will hopefully be appreciated by all.”

Most of the seats will be put in place next spring and summer throughout the 16-mile west-to-east length of the AONB. Information about the AONB is available at www.howardianhills.org.uk