Raking up the past for a comfy seat (From Gazette & Herald)

Raking up the past for a comfy seat

WEARY gardeners can rest awhile thanks to the efforts of a team of hard-working volunteers.

Helpers at Helmsley Walled Garden have transformed an old- fashioned hay rake into an oak bench - perfect for a spot of quiet contemplation.

Volunteer Bill Tait said: "The hay rake was in a field nearby and donated by a local man, Brian Thompson.

"We cleaned it up and painted it and then we fitted an oak seat to the top.

"Quite a few of the older farming generation can remember using them, and now people can rest their weary legs."

Mr Tait, who was helped by Fred Harland, Mark Watson, Brian Timmins and Dave Turnbull, from the garden, said it had been a real team effort to get the seat spruced up.

"Now it's sited in the old flower meadow facing Helmsley Castle," he said.

"It's proving really popular with people because it's a bit different."

Updated: 12:51 Thursday, July 31, 2003