Wooden tree guard PARKBENCH PAULINE, NETHERLANDS

with integrated public bench

The longest seat in the world to be made from sustainable wood Accoya has been unveiled at the Thiepval memorial near Amiens in Northern France by President Macron. The 36 metre long bench, created in commemoration of the WW1 Armistice, comprises Welsh Oak and Portland stone reflecting the sacrifice of Welshmen who lost their lives, as well as the stone that is used within the Thiepval memorial. Created and installed in collaboration with Oxford Planters, designers and makers of hardwood outdoor furniture, and Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer, garden designers and landscapers, the bench – the feature piece in the ‘peace garden’ – took six weeks to build, with a further two days to install it on-site. Timber suppliers Arnold Laver provided the 2.5 cubic metres of Accoya wood that Oxford Planters used to create the bench. Each panel was sanded down and left uncoated to age naturally in the forest. Selected for its sustainability credentials, as well as its long-life – it comes with a 50 year above ground guarantee – Accoya gives peace of mind and also benefits from minimal maintenance requirements