Cilla — Personalised Memorial Storytelling Chair

A personalised memorial storytelling chair is the most meaningful piece of furniture a school can commission — a lasting tribute carved in solid oak that keeps a beloved memory alive every single day.

Two examples show the breadth of what's possible. The first was made in memory of Cilla, the much-loved school cat whose name travelled well beyond the school gates. Her portrait, surrounded by flowers and the creatures she shared her days with, is carved into every panel. The second was created for the staff and children of Snapdragon Nursery, in memory of a beloved teacher — a gentle, woodland scene that feels like a place she would have loved. Both chairs now sit at the heart of their school's outdoor space, gathering children around them every day.

Each chair is made from solid oak in our Mid Wales workshop, with solid hand-built joinery designed to last for decades of outdoor use.

"I absolutely love it! I think the wood colours are fantastic — I will show it to the children tomorrow in assembly."
— Sally Taylor, Headteacher, Outwoods Primary School

Dimensions

• Total height: 140 cm
• Width: 70 cm
• Depth: 70 cm

These are generously proportioned chairs, designed to feel like a throne — comfortable for adults and welcoming to children gathering around.

Key Features

• Fully bespoke carving — portrait, name, date, favourite animal, flowers, or any scene that carries meaning for your school
• Solid oak construction — a durable, beautiful hardwood that holds fine portrait and relief carving
• Choose your finish — supplied unvarnished as standard, or add three coats of Epifanes yacht varnish for lasting colour and sheen (+£50)
• Solid hand-built joinery — built in Mid Wales to last a generation of outdoor use
• Indoor and outdoor use — equally at home in a reading corner, library, or school garden

Your Version

Your memorial chair begins with a conversation. Who or what are you commemorating? A school mascot, a beloved teacher, a founding figure, a pet who was part of the school family? We'll work with you to sketch the design before a single cut is made — sharing references, ideas, and artwork until it feels right.

Typical lead time is 4–5 weeks, though we can work to tighter timelines for significant dates — end of term, a retirement, an anniversary. Prices include VAT. Schools can order by purchase order and pay on invoice — no upfront payment required. We're happy to provide our VAT number, bank details, and address if your school needs to register us as a supplier.

See our full range in the storytelling chairs collection, or get in touch to begin your memorial chair design.

Finish

This piece is supplied unvarnished 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 no maintenance needed. If you’d prefer to bring out the grain and warm, honeyed tones, choose the varnished option (+£50) and we’ll hand-apply three coats of Epifanes, a premium marine yacht varnish.