Park Benches

[Morturn]

One of the Birmingham Parks Friends Groups has asked me to restore an old park bench. The story goes, it was destined to be sent for scrap for the WWII effort along with all the iron railing etc. Apparently the park keeper got permission to keep this one and it been tracked down to Somerset where the owner has offered to donate it.

I am just checking on its authenticity, it seems to look like some of the bus stop benches seen around the city. Can anyone confirm a possible date or comment on authenticity. Thanks.

 

[Donbogen]

Do you think theres a centrer cast section missing
you need some nice seasoned Oak for that

 

[Morturn]

Do you think theres a centrer cast section missing
you need some nice seasoned Oak for that

I do suspect there is a centre section missing yes. Some nice straight grained oak did cross my mind too. Low maintenance and it would last for years. Do you know of any going?

 

[Donbogen]

I do suspect there is a centre section missing yes. Some nice straight grained oak did cross my mind too. Low maintenance and it would last for years. Do you know of any going?

No sadly Oak is lacking in my rack
be nice to get some reclaimed Oak
if not some green Oak

 

[Pedrocut]

If you Google Images for antique park benches there seems to several of similar design, with a couple of curly bits sticking out. This seems to be a bit different ?

 

[pjmburns]

Similar to this one?

Cast Iron Green Victorian Park Bench

Created using a combination of cast iron and fibre-reinforced polymer, this beautiful garden bench has been finished in a luxurious green finish to match the glorious natural surroundings. With cast iron arms, which feature small scroll detailing, it adds to the overall style and finishing to...

www.blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk

 

[Morturn]

Interestingly Janice, that’s more like the style of park bench I remember over Witton Lakes Park. They had little stubs cast into the supports to make it look like it was made of branches. I do vaguely recall some bus stops had the type of bench that this was. There was one on the corner of Short Heath Road and Anderson Road, Edington.

 

[Astoness]

hi mort ive just had a look at the cannon hill..handsworth and brookvale park threads and there are lot of benches that were different shapes and sizes...yours may not have had a middle strut...good luck with the restoration

lyn

 

[Morturn]

Thanks, lyn, it does look like there was no standard park bench. There are a couple of phots of the type I can remember with the branches.

I am thinking this one my be a Birmingham Bus Corporation Bench.

 

[Donbogen]

Just being sitting on bench on Blackpool seafront where i live now
The seat was oak
I noticed sagging in middle
It was 5 foot in length
So yours needs support in middle maybe

 

[johnny082]

Morturn, The thought has come to me regarding your seat, about the possibility of getting some old oak furniture such as Wardrobe, Dresser etc from an auctioneer. such as Richard Winterton in Lichfield. Obviously it depends on length you want it and then of course transporting it home. But every week, on the last pages of their catalogue you can view on line, they have loads of oak and pine furniture. to my mind going very cheap compared with new Oak. there may of course be other auctioneers selling similar. It grieves me that a couple of years ago I had to get a skip to dispose of a lot of oak because I could not find anyone interested in having it. An alternative would of course be pine pews from Churches which I have also seen being auctioned. You can at least guarantee the quality of such.
I do hope you can find what you are looking for

 

[John L]

Here's a old postcard showing one in Handsworth Park:

 

[Donbogen]

As a Joiner
i recommend
Oak White or Green not forgetting reclaimed
Douglas Fir if you can get it
I have known Cedar to be used but it is not as strong as the above
Reclaimed White Oak flooring is great if you can get it.

 

[superdad3]

This may be of interest to bench enthusiasts. See article at https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/ne...es-dullest-mans-calendars-birmingham-25188286. Incidentally, what an incredible name for a Birmingham bridge!