A Year in the Life of a 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:
January
Thank you Chris and Rob
February
Snowdrops from Cherrington Lake. Cotswolds.
See www.mindfullybertie.org.uk/frank-mansell
March
Diddley’s View.
Kyla.
April
Layla, Sonny, Faith.
May
Civil Engineers Walking Club.
Family and friends.
Celebrating.
“Bench Shortbread”.
Even “Bobby 2” got an outing!
June
Heaven.
Breakfast with Diddley.
July
Summertime.
August
Lighting a Candle on Diddley’s birthday.
Ezme, Kyla, Sonny.
September
Kyla, Angie and Chris.
Colin, Barbara & Bobby.
October
Remembering Amber and Diddley.
November
Autumn on the Roughs. A candle for anyone.
December
(Strictly speaking New Years Day 2018, but within the first year.)
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.
Sue’s 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.
Diddley.
Sun going down…
Lighting a Candle to Diddley
At Diddley’s View
Lovely Dad. I spotted the infamous Shredded Wheat bowl, the ‘reckless’ puchase (bidding) of which is surely worth a post of it’s own? 🙂
Now thats a thought. A very rare foray into Ebay ending up
with six
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
See email. The NT has hand tools for everything and free volunteer labour.
You could say the bench is solid as a rock with such support.
Like an iceberg. More under than over.
[…] the Bench, I saw the snowdrops. From Cherington Lakes, Cotswolds. Planted in hope a year ago. The lakes and […]