WALKERS are being invited to take a trip down memory lane as a village hotel restores a popular bench.
The hillside seat at Coal Pit Lane, Clifton, was donated to the community by The Forte Hotel, now the Holiday Inn Leeds-Brighouse hotel, as it welcomed its first guests in 1989.
It was the year that saw petrol prices soar to 36p a litre, the Bank of England interest rates spiral to 15% and The Bangles topped the charts alongside Phil Collins and Depeche Mode.
The hotel is marking its 20th anniversary this year and as part of its celebrations will be giving the weather-beaten seat a makeover.
It has now launched an appeal for local people to come forward with their greatest memories about the bench.
The restoration work will be undertaken by maintenance manager Andrew Williamson, the hotel’s longest-serving member of staff, who has been part of the team since its opening day.
Louise Dodd, the hotel’s general manager, said this was the latest example of its staff getting involved in the community.
She said: “We are a hotel at the heart of the community and we encourage staff to support it in anyway they can – from working as charity volunteers to projects such as this one.
“The bench gives you a great and peaceful view of the district below and has been a popular landmark for the community ever since we opened.
“It is in need of restoration after being exposed to the elements for so long and we thought it would be timely to carry out the work in our anniversary year.
“We’re sure that it holds many stories from the many hundreds of people who have stopped by on the way up the hill.
“We would like to hear from anyone who has special memories about the seat as part of celebrations we are planning to mark our anniversary in May this year.”
Anyone with memories can ring Dawn Campbell at the hotel on 01484 404532.
