A Year in the Life of a Bench.

Posted on 21/01/2018 By

Bench.

A Year in the Life of a Bench.

We are so grateful to the National Trust for allowing a very special bench to be installed on beautiful Abinger Roughs. In particular, our thank you to the warden Rob who not only gave his consent but actually did the work of installing it with Chris here. (Rob took the pictures). Unofficially it is now Diddley’s View. Virtually a place of pilgrimage to remember Diddley and find peace and consolation in such a lovely place. It was installed on 17 January 2017. Here is the first year in the life of a Bench.

If you would like a little musical accompaniment for this blog try:

video

January

Bench: Bench: Bench: Bench:Thank you Chris and Rob

February

Bench: Snowdrops from Cherrington Lake. Cotswolds.

Snowdrops from Cherrington Lake. Cotswolds.

See www.mindfullybertie.org.uk/frank-mansell

March

Bench: Diddley's View.

Diddley’s View.

Bench: Kyla.

Kyla.

April

Bench: Layla, Sonny, Faith.

Layla, Sonny, Faith.

May

Bench: Civil Engineers Walking Club.

Civil Engineers Walking Club.

Bench: Family and friends.

Family and friends.

Bench:Celebrating.

Celebrating.

"Bench Shortbread".

“Bench Shortbread”.

bench: Even "Bobby 2" got an outing!

Even “Bobby 2” got an outing!

June

Bench: Heaven.

Heaven.

Bench: Breakfast with Diddley.

Breakfast with Diddley.

July

Bench:

Bench: Summertime.

Summertime.

August

Bench: Lighting a Candle on Diddley’s birthday.

Lighting a Candle on Diddley’s birthday.

Bench: Ezme, Kyla, Sonny.

Ezme, Kyla, Sonny.

September

Bench: Kyla, Angie and Chris.

Kyla, Angie and Chris.

Bench: Colin, Barbara & Bobby.

Colin, Barbara & Bobby.

October

Bench: Remembering Amber and Diddley.

Remembering Amber and Diddley.

November

Bench: Autumn on the Roughs. A candle for anyone.

Autumn on the Roughs. A candle for anyone.

December

(Strictly speaking New Years Day 2018, but within the first year.)

Bench:Please note that this is a very rare concession by the National Trust. Bobby has volunteered in countryside management for the Trust at Denbies Hillside for over eight years. Abinger Roughs is part of the local group’s responsibility.  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/denbies-hillside

PS. Sue’s Seat

Bobby and I (and Trevor and Betty) are lucky to live next door to Mike. Diddley called him Superman. He is also a widower. Losing his wife, the lovely Sue, some years ago. As a self taught master carpenter, he set about commemorating Sue’s life in the best way he could . Making quite the most impressive bench the world has ever seen. An “S” for Sue. Like Bobby, he is also a National Trust volunteer. His group includes Leith Hill Tower. The highest point in the south east of England.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill-tower-and-countryside

With the Trust’s blessing and help in getting the component parts to Leith Hill, friends and family helped Mike install the Bench. Bobby was a helper. Digging lots of holes. Leith Hill is a lovely place. If you go up there, make sure you sit on Sue’s Seat.

Bench: Sue's Seat.

Sue’s Seat.

Bench: Built from 2.5 tonnes of oak, this seat consists of 32 sections, resting on 64 brackets which are dovetailed into 17 piers. The 'S' shape forms the first initial of Sue Murray and makes this the perfect place for people to sit and talk. Sue's seat was made by Sue's husband, Mike and with the help of friends, relatives and the National Trust Leith Hill staff and volunteers. So take a moment to sit, enjoy the landscape and share it with the people you meet around the seat.

Sign reads: Built from 2.5 tonnes of oak, this seat consists of 32 sections, resting on 64 brackets which are dovetailed into 17 piers. The ‘S’ shape forms the first initial of Sue Murray and makes this the perfect place for people to sit and talk. Sue’s seat was made by Sue’s husband, Mike and with the help of friends, relatives and the National Trust Leith Hill staff and volunteers. So take a moment to sit, enjoy the landscape and share it with the people you meet around the seat.

PS. A Bench at Wisley Gardens

Wisley Gardens was one of Diddley’s favourite places. Many happy hours were spent there. This statue, including its bench, is one of the last photographs taken of Diddley.

Bench: Diddley.

Diddley.

Bench: Sun going down…

Sun going down…

Lighting a Candle to Diddley

Bench: Lighting a Candle At Diddley’s View

At Diddley’s View

 

Bench    


  1. Baby Ball says:

    Lovely Dad. I spotted the infamous Shredded Wheat bowl, the ‘reckless’ puchase (bidding) of which is surely worth a post of it’s own? 🙂

  2. Chris Norman says:

    Again a wonderful set of pictures & memories. Thanks Bob. I had no idea the bench was sitting on such long legs. How did they dig such small but deep holes? Chris

  3. Bernard says:

    You could say the bench is solid as a rock with such support.

  4. […] the Bench, I saw the snowdrops. From Cherington Lakes, Cotswolds. Planted in hope a year ago. The lakes and […]

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