A solid oak, circular bench built at the Boat Building Academy (BBA) to commemorate the coronation of King Charles, has been unveiled in Lyme Regis.
The three-metre diameter bench, commissioned by the Lyme Regis Town Council in conjunction with Cleo Evans and the Arts Development Company, encircles a newly planted oak tree, overlooking the sea, in Langmoor Garden.
Eight students from the GCSE Craft Design and Technology course at Woodroffe School worked with Nettlecombe furniture-maker Poppy Booth at the BBA on the initial framework and steam bending for the bench.
BBA Director Will Reed, tutor Mike Broom and technician Sam Robinson completed the work on the intricately-carved piece.
The bench was officially unveiled on Thursday December 14th by Councillor Caroline Aldridge, Chair of the Council’s Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee.
Will Reed said: “The BBA was honoured to be asked to play a role in this important project to commemorate the coronation of King Charles.
“Many weeks of hard work and expert craftmanship have gone into producing it and we hope it will provide a stunning place to sit for local people and visitors, for many years to come.
“Our thanks also go to Councillor Cheryl Reynolds who kickstarted the project, which has resulted in such a beautiful new piece of furniture for our town.”
Councillor Caroline Aldridge said: “The bench is a fabulous example of successful joint working by the team from the Boat Building Academy, Woodroffe School and our council gardens team, led by Pete Williams. “It has truly surpassed all my expectations as a quite beautiful, yet simple, practical and useful piece of work set in the most stunning position. I am sure all of us in Lyme and our visitors will come to love and gather around it, as one of the key features in the garden.
“I urge everyone to go and visit, sit on it, touch, feel and smell the wood – and enjoy the fabulous view.
