Bench to be kept

From the archive, first published Tuesday 12th Feb 2008.

A historic village bench has been saved despite it being taken over by young yobs.

Silsden Town Council has voted unanimously to keep the bench in Elliott Street despite complaints that it sparked anti-social behaviour.

T'Old Man's Seat, which has been a part of the Silsden landscape for more than 100 years, had recently fallen off it hinges, but was replaced by the council last month.

Mayor Liz Trainor said she had received a barrage of complaints from villagers when the bench was missing, with everyone asking for it to be replaced as soon as possible.

But one resident, who lives across the road from the bench, demanded that it be removed because it attracted binge-drinking youths.

Coun Trainor said: "I have asked the police if there has been any more trouble and they said no more than usual."