Category Archives: Words from a Bench 2021

Adela Parzanese Ordinary socks. Ordinary life. With ups and downs, Colourful, but grey sometimes. Ordinary lives, we see pass by. Hailstorms, rain, wind and blue skies. Ordinary life; a mother who nurtures a baby while pushing the other in the pram. Ordinary lives, of those who see the smiles, but never the scars. Socks, shoes,Continue reading “Ordinary Socks”

Mieke Jackson Thank you, dear Rowntree, for your lovely Park, And a very happy Hundredth Year! You’ve given us all space to play and ‘lark’, And created memories so dear. My childhood walks to that special green place, Were so serene and beautiful for me, My own three just loved it, they said it wasContinue reading “Thank You, Dear Rowntree, For Your Lovely Park”

Tony Huntington We know that when Joseph Rowntree gave Rowntree Park to the people of York he did so as a memorial to those who died in the First World War and for the benefit of generations of York people. At the time he would not have known just how much York people have benefited. Continue reading “Memories from a local lad “

Mary Baker Ducks quacking, geese honking, all competing for food Squirrels scampering in trees and undergrowth  Birds singing, making their nests Sun shining, warming the cold spring day Trees budding, flowers peeking up awakening from their winter’s sleep Children laughing Babies crying Mums chattering Dogs yapping Tennis balls popping  Skateboards scooting  Balls thudding on theContinue reading “The Park”

 Kate Newton – Age 13 I used to belong to the rainforest, long, long ago. We were one and the same; a singular being. I grew alongside the trees. The roots were my bones. My pulse matched the ebb and flow of the crystalline river-sea- it’s waters were the blood in my veins. Everything thatContinue reading “The Amazon’s Song”

Oscar Watson – Age 6 Sun blazes in the sky, Waiting for us to come outside, Clouds above, Earth below, Always listening for us to go, and play. 

Summer Langhorn – Age 13 Rowntree Park is very big and fun to have a family day out. There is also a cafe for people to go and get some food or a cup of tea to keep them warm. Even in the summer there is an ice cream van sometimes near the cafe. ThereContinue reading “Rowntree Park Is Very Big”

Natalie Roe There had been few moments in my life that had truly been a turning point. I didn’t think a jam sandwich would feature so prominently in one of them. Years later, I would look back at moments that had been branches, choices where life could have gone one way or another. But theContinue reading “Pedal Down”

Caroline Cox If we stare long enough  this is what we see:  a fox in a field, a butterfly,  a glorious, working bee.  If we stare long enough  the nature comes to us;  a ladybird, a blue tit  a wild rabbit, a thrush.  If we stare long enough  and open our eyes to see,  aContinue reading “If We Stare Long Enough… “

Lucas Cowley, Age 8 Very quickly, I race to the place  That is a gate as big as a giant reaching up to space I walk past dogs playing in the field As some of Rowntree Park is revealed  I hop through arches, tall and grand With long roses in dream land I hear the splashes of theContinue reading “A Walk Through Rowntree’s”