New bench unveiled at Coniston trail as tribute to walker

The new oak bench can be found on the Torver Trail at Coniston Water and was unveiled on Sunday.

It was the project of partnership between the family of the late Leslie Nigel Pattinson, Torver Parish Council and The National Trust.

Leslie was described as a charismatic, spirited and much-loved relative who grew up in Torver Station House in the 1940s and 50s. 

He attended Torver school and developed a love of the Lake District countryside, walking and running on the local fells. Torver Parish Council and The National Trust agreed to support the project and to be involved in the design.

The installation is at the highest point on the old Foxfield to Coniston Branch Line, now a bridleway enjoyed by increasing numbers or walkers, runners and cyclists.

The Pattinson family was keen to commemorate the life of Leslie with the seat designed and constructed by his nephew Nigel Pattinson in close collaboration with Chris Bradley of Torver Parish Council and Carole Barr.

The design of the bench seat reflects the shape of steam engine nameplates with the branch line stations between Foxfield and Coniston carved into the edge of the oak seat.

The seat is supported by stone stoops which were once part of a field entrance on the old railway line, and these are inscribed with the Torver Shield and the Medieval name for Torver village, ‘Thorvergh’.

At the top of the central upright is the inscription ‘Alt Maen’ the ancient Celtic for ‘High Stone’ which has been corrupted over time to ‘Old Man’.

The bench was unveiled by Leslie’s sons and daughters Paul Pattinson, Jill Vial, Helen Quinn and Andrew Pattinson.

A view of Coniston ‘Old Man’ is now one of many attractions people can now appreciate as they sit down to relax.

The purpose of the bench is to commemorate but also enjoy the company of fellow travellers on the new, interesting and practical addition to The Torver Trail.