{"product_id":"carved-oak-memorial-bench-personalised-school","title":"Phoenix \u0026 Dove Memorial Bench — Carved Oak","description":"\u003cp\u003eA hand-carved oak memorial bench for a beloved teacher, built around the symbols that mattered most to the community that commissioned it — a rising phoenix, two doves in flight, and the words \"Be Kind\" carved into the front stretcher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe brief for this bench came from a school community who had lost someone whose legacy was not just what they taught, but how they taught it. The design reflects that: the phoenix rising from each back post represents renewal and the continuation of influence; the two doves represent peace. The hand-carved landscape on the backrest shows three crosses on a hillside, birds in flight and rolling clouds — an image of faith, hope and open skies. And at the front, visible to everyone who sits here or passes by: \"Be Kind.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe bench now lives in a memorial garden. Shown here as an example of the bespoke school and community benches we make, it demonstrates how a commission can hold an entire value system in a single piece of carved oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRising phoenix finials on each back post\u003c\/strong\u003e — symbols of renewal and a life that continues to inspire\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo carved doves\u003c\/strong\u003e — representing peace and remembrance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHand-carved landscape on the backrest\u003c\/strong\u003e — three crosses on a hillside, birds in flight, rolling clouds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\"Be Kind\" inscription on the front stretcher\u003c\/strong\u003e — the school's message carved forward in oak\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolid Welsh oak construction\u003c\/strong\u003e — sustainably sourced, built for permanent outdoor installation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your finish\u003c\/strong\u003e — supplied unvarnished as standard, or add three coats of Epifanes yacht varnish for lasting colour and sheen (+£50)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandmade in Mid Wales\u003c\/strong\u003e — designed in collaboration with the commissioning community, carved by hand throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandard sizes: 150 cm wide (2–3 seat) or 180 cm wide (3–4 seat)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepth approximately 60 cm, height approximately 110–120 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBespoke carving, sizes and post designs on request\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eYour Version\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe design memorial benches for schools, churches, faith communities and families who want something that carries meaning beyond an inscription. If there are symbols, scripture, mottos or values that defined the person you are remembering, we will build them in — on the back posts, the stretcher, the backrest, even the legs. Nothing is off the table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLead time is typically 4–5 weeks. \u003cstrong\u003ePrices include VAT.\u003c\/strong\u003e Schools and community organisations can order via purchase order and pay on invoice. \u003ca href=\"\/en-de\/pages\/contact\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eGet in touch to begin your design.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFinish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece is supplied \u003cstrong\u003eunvarnished\u003c\/strong\u003e as standard. Left natural, solid oak slowly weathers to a soft, silvery-grey — completely normal for outdoor timber, a graceful way for a piece to age, and with \u003cstrong\u003eno maintenance needed\u003c\/strong\u003e. If you’d prefer to bring out the grain and warm, honeyed tones, choose the \u003cstrong\u003evarnished\u003c\/strong\u003e option (+£50) and we’ll hand-apply three coats of Epifanes, a premium marine yacht varnish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer; font-weight:bold;\"\u003eMore about the two finishes\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:8px;\"\u003eOutdoor furniture takes a real beating from sun and weather. Left natural, an unvarnished piece simply silvers over time and asks nothing of you. A varnished piece keeps its rich sheen for a couple of years; after that the varnish may begin to flake or patch, at which point you can simply re-coat it, or let it weather back to that natural silvery-grey. Either way, your oak is fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"FreeRangeDesigns","offers":[{"title":"Unvarnished","offer_id":56182160261495,"sku":"FRD-OTH-OAK-1005","price":2310.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Varnished (+£50)","offer_id":57222619365751,"sku":"FRD-OTH-OAK-1005","price":2625.58,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0267\/7673\/1729\/files\/school_memorial_bench.jpg?v=1763921489","url":"https:\/\/freerangingdesigns.com\/en-de\/products\/carved-oak-memorial-bench-personalised-school","provider":"FreeRangeDesigns","version":"1.0","type":"link"}