The memorial bench: on Ilkley Moor bar that

REQUESTS for memorial benches are being rejected by a council because they spoil the “naturalness” of the countryside.

At the top of Ilkley Moor, north of Bradford, there are eight inscribed memorial benches overlooking the Brontë country scenery of West Yorkshire.

The moorland attracts walkers and nature lovers alike, many of whom use the commemorative benches as a resting spot.

However, Bradford council is the latest body to start restricting the number of memorials with marked inscriptions.

People often adorn their benches with flowers and some have planted conifers next to them, in memory of their loved ones. Because of this, council officials believe they are starting to “take over” in a spot that should reflect the wildness of nature.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Danny Jackson, countryside and rights of way manager for Bradford council, said: “You may well say so what – there are eight or so benches here. We are trying to strike a balance between the naturalness and the structures that we place here.

“If we said yes to all the requests we get, there would be many more – maybe 20. Between last October and January we had 12 requests.”

Joy Goddfrey has a bench dedicated to her daughter, Marianne, on the moorland. She said: “I used to come here sometimes on very, very fine days and I could almost feel the sun on my back and think, ‘She’s with me’.”