Dame Judi Dench and Dave Jackson on York Portrait Bench

Life-sized figures of the legendary actor Dame Judi Dench and local cycle route builder Dave Jackson have been immortalised in steel for one of our new 'portrait benches', on a walking and cycling route in York.

a woman and a man stand next to life-sized metal sculptures of the actor Dame Judi Dench, and cycle route builder Dave Jackson

Rosslyn Colderley, our director for the North of England, with Dave Jackson at the portrait bench. PHOTO: David Harrison/Sustrans

Life-sized figures of the legendary actor Dame Judi Dench and local cycle route builder Dave Jackson have been immortalised in steel next to a wooden bench on a walking and cycling route in York.

The ‘portrait bench’ is located on the York to Selby path (route 65), near Bishopthorpe, also known as the Solar System Way. The sculpture was created by artists Katy and Nick Hallett.

It’s one of 30 new benches we’ve installed to commemorate local heroes in communities along the National Cycle Network.

People in York voted for their favourite historical, cultural or community figures, who contributed most to the area in the last 70 years, to appear on the new portrait bench.

I think it’s so important for people to have access to traffic-free paths like the York to Selby route, to take a quiet walk, cycle or use a mobility scooter.

Dame Judi Dench

Dave Jackson helped to build many of the cycle routes around York, including the York to Selby path on the National Cycle Network. PHOTO: David Harrison/Sustrans

“I worked on most of the cycle routes around this area, both as a Sustrans employee and a volunteer. So many people thanked me for what I’d done. It was very rewarding.”

Dave Jackson

Rosslyn Colderley, our director for the North of England, said:

“We’re thrilled to see Dame Judi Dench and Dave Jackson recognised in this way.

"Just like the National Cycle Network, they’re at the heart of the community.

"At Sustrans, we’re committed to ensuring that the National Cycle Network continues to enable as many people as possible to walk, wheel, cycle, and run, and as ‘Paths for Everyone’ that they celebrate our local communities, cultures, and heritage.”

There are now a total of 250 portrait benches on the National Cycle Network.

The latest additions were created in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and funded by the Department for Transport.

The Solar System Way runs from Bishopthorpe to Riccall on York to Selby route 65 of the National Cycle Network.

It features scale models of the planets proportionally placed from the Sun and each other.

Find out more about our portrait benched on the National Cycle Network.