When St Helens Cemetery commissioned a bench for the Babies and Infants section, the brief was gentle and clear: a children's storybook woodland, a rainbow as the main feature, and the only colour in the whole piece coming from that arc of light above.
The result is this bench — three seats wide, hand-carved from solid oak, with a rainbow arching over a soft woodland scene of rabbit, squirrel, mouse, owl, hedgehog, birds and butterfly. The animals are carved in natural wood tones; the rainbow alone carries colour, its bands hand-painted in the full spectrum above the trees. One arch of the rainbow holds an inscription; the front panel carries the words Forever Loved. At the top of each post, an individual painted bird keeps watch — a detail borrowed from the Coton Orchard bench, where birds have meant something different for every commission.
The phrase carved inside the rainbow — We will look for you in rainbows — is one that many bereaved families know already, even if they have never read it before. It says what a rainbow says, in the moment you need it said. This bench sits in the place at St Helens Cemetery where the smallest losses are remembered, and it was made to belong there: gentle, full of life, and built to last.
Key Features
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Made for St Helens Cemetery — purpose-designed for the Babies and Infants section; equally suited to any memorial garden, churchyard or quiet outdoor space
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Rainbow centrepiece — hand-painted in full colour; the only colour in an otherwise natural oak woodland scene
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Woodland animal carvings — rabbit, squirrel, mouse, owl, hedgehog, birds and butterfly, carved in natural oak
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Inscribed rainbow arch — "We will look for you in rainbows" carved into the arc; inscription can be personalised to any chosen phrase or dedication
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"Forever Loved" front panel — name, date or personal message can be added on request
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Coloured birds on each post — individually hand-painted, hearts carved in darker wood on the side leg panels
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Solid Welsh oak, finished with natural oil and hand-painted detail
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Three coats Epifanes matt varnish for outdoor durability
Dimensions
- Width: approx. 150 cm (3 seater)
- Height: approx. 100 cm
- Depth: approx. 60 cm
- Material: Solid oak
- Finish: Natural oiled wood with hand-painted rainbow and wildlife detail
Your Version
We make benches like this for memorial gardens, cemeteries, churchyards, hospices and any space where a bench needs to carry meaning as well as weight. The inscription, animals and colours are worked out with you, and every piece is completely unique. Get in touch to start the conversation.
Typical lead time is 4–5 weeks, though we can accommodate specific deadlines. Prices include VAT.
