A COMMEMORATIVE bench to remember a much-loved community stalwart has been put in place in Crossgates.

The special seat will serve as a memorial to Robert Arnott who died in July at the age of 67.

It had been planned that a fundraising night would pay for the tribute, however it was kindly donated by local businessman John Reid.

As a result, the money raised – a total of £1,520 – was donated to Cancer Research.

Mr Arnott was brought up in the village and spent over 30 years on the Crossgates Community Council, where he was its chairperson for over 15 years.

His wife Elizabeth was overwhelmed by the efforts put in by the local community “All the family would like to thank everybody who donated money, prizes and their time and especially John Reid in Crossgates for the bench,” she said.

“My brother in law John Paterson and my eldest son David both had their heads shaved at the fundraising night and the girls from the barber in Crossgates came up and did it free of charge and also donated their takings for that day.

“The bench looks out over the village and is the place Robert picked for a memorial for his mum and dad. He was really passionate about the village and he will be missed by a lot of people.”

Robert began his community involvement in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he and Elizabeth joined the Crossgates Gala Committee.