🐾 A Tribute in Wood: Remembering Cilla, the Beloved School Cat

Late last year, we received a message that touched our hearts:

"Hi, Our beloved school cat died before Christmas. She was internationally famous and had just won the 'Connected Cat - Cat of the Year'. We would love a bench to commemorate her. Thanks."
— Sally Taylor, Headteacher

And so began a very special commission — one that would celebrate the life of a remarkable cat named Cilla.

Cilla wasn’t just any school cat. She was a constant companion to children and staff, a source of comfort, laughter, and joy — and as her headteacher proudly told us, internationally famous in her own right. She’d recently been awarded the title of ‘Connected Cat – Cat of the Year’, and had become a cherished figure in the school community and beyond.

When we were asked to create a memorial bench in her honour, we knew it had to be something truly unique.

🌳 Honouring Cilla’s Spirit in Solid Wood

We designed a handcrafted memorial bench and storytelling chair in solid wood, capturing both the character and charm of Cilla through carved and painted portraits. Her image now lives on in these pieces — perched proudly on the backrest of each, with her name carved gently beneath.

The chair features a high backrest with a beautifully hand-drawn image of Cilla and her name carved above — a throne-like tribute for a cat who clearly ruled hearts. The bench, warm and inviting, features another carefully illustrated portrait, so children can sit, reflect, and remember their feline friend.

Each piece was lovingly made by hand, using traditional woodworking techniques and finished to highlight the natural grain and beauty of the timber — strong, enduring, and full of life, just like Cilla.

💛 A Place to Remember

These pieces now sit proudly in the school grounds — a place for children to gather, to sit and share stories, and to keep Cilla’s memory alive in everyday moments. We feel honoured to have been part of this tribute, and deeply moved by how one small cat could leave such a lasting imprint on so many lives.

At Free Range Designs, we believe that furniture can tell stories — and sometimes, those stories are the most heartfelt of all.

Click to order the bench here 

and the memorial chair here