The project originated from a request received on 16 June 2026 from The Revd Canon Jane D Curtis. She had a garden bench that required care and attention to return them to a suitable condition for use as garden seating. She specifically asked whether this was the type of project that could be undertaken, including appropriate remuneration and expenses.
Rather than attempting to preserve unsuitable original materials, the approach was to retain and refurbish the cast-steel ends while replacing the timber and corroded hardware. The use of stainless-steel fixings and a new supporting steel rod should provide a more robust and durable finished structure.
The restoration work involved a fairly comprehensive refurbishment of the bench rather than simply cosmetic repairs:
1. Dismantling the seat
– The seat was stripped down and taken apart to allow the individual components to be assessed and restored.
– The existing fasteners were badly affected by rust, requiring an angle grinder to remove the rusted bolts.
2. Replacement of the timber
– The original wooden components were considered unsuitable for continued use and were discarded.
– New wooden slats were prepared, including cutting and sanding, to replace the old timber and restore the seating surface.
3. Restoration of the cast-steel framework
– The original cast-steel ends were retained rather than replaced.
– They were thoroughly cleaned using a wire brush to remove accumulated rust and deteriorated surface material.
– Following cleaning, the cast-steel components were repainted, improving both their appearance and protection against further deterioration.
4. Replacement of fixings
– The old rusted bolts were replaced with new stainless-steel nuts and bolts, providing more durable fixings for the restored bench.
– A new length of steel rod underneath the bench was also installed to provide additional structural security and hold the ends together.
5. People involved
– The restoration was undertaken by Steve, Alan, Roger and Bill.
Before Restoration.
Restoration
After Restoration
