Memorial benches

This is a secure site if anyone is interested. lemongrove the Giant's seat is no more, now charcoal for local artists!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-bristol-34585034/forest-of-dean-sculpture-the-giant-s-chair-demolished

It's being replaced by a huge pair of hands I think.

Couldn't resist a look, just to see if my security was up to the challenge too!
What a pity it's gone. It would be nice if they did another; to replace it. Even giants need to sit down sometimes.

That’s excellent Alexa and good on Ilford, I used to work and live there.

I just went on the site Jalima ( my security didn’t tell me not to, shame, as I like a challenge)
Wow, the giant’s chair, amazing it has been there for 29 years.My DGC would love that.

Jalima, my security told me not to go on that site.

Thank heavens for that Alexa.
4 rough sleepers died there already this year. That must be more than anywhere else.

www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/17/ilford-ms-store-to-help-build-pop-up-hostel-for-rough-sleepers

www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk/farewell-to-the-giants-chair

Durhamjen wrote:

"I can see a difference between a public place and a shop."

Yes, but shop staff are people too. One hero M and S manager lately organised the placing of containers on some land where homeless people were sleeping , for the use of the rough sleepers, and other institutions joined in the initiative.
Sometimes blurring boundaries is good.

Why did you introduce the idea of not being able to sit down in Debenhams into this thread?

Well, I think the idea is that the bench or chair is situated somewhere where you enjoyed the view.
Personally, I prefer a view of the sea to Debenhams lemongrove

OldMeg There used to be a handy chair in the Forest of Dean but it's gone now:
https://www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk/farewell-to-the-giants-chair/

I am grateful for a bench, a comfy chair anywhere these days.
We went to a large shop the other day and I had to hang around and wait ages whilst DH fetched the car from the garage where it had been for its MOT. No seats inside or outside but there were garden chairs on display in the foyer with notices saying 'please do not sit on the chairs as we cannot guarantee their safety' (why buy one, then?, I thought.)
A little boy sat down in one and said 'its OK, I've been sitting here and no-one has come and told me off yet' so I sat with him. We had a lovely chat about football.

Well, there is a little train, and a chair lift, up the Great Orme lemon and the passengers cheerfully wave to you as you're staggering up on foot. I don't have the energy to raise my arm to wave back! On reflection, I'd like to forgo the benches on the way up and I'll choose a sedan chair instead!

I am very impressed by the climbing prowess of some posters.When in our twenties, on a walking holiday in Switzerland we climbed up what ( probably) the Swiss would term a hill called the Hardar Kulme ( can’t remember the spelling).What a slog! Anyway, we did it and arrived puffed out at the top to find tourists sitting calmy eating chocolate cake and slurping coffee, many of them really old ( as in Really old). The mystery was solved when we found the little train on the other side, taking people up and down.Could have used a bench or two there!

@OldMeg. I completely understand that you visit the bench to be close to your loved one on anniversaries but it is unacceptable to leave flowers or items other than a small simple plaque, assuming the bench is in a public place. The bench has been allowed on the assumption that it is for the use of all. Not to be turned into a memorial. There are places for memorials, cemeteries and crematoria. Benches are for the general public to sit on.

SpanielNanny I agree.

Oops! Wrong thread!

Childish, I know, but the doctor overseeing the trial in the link. His name made me smile..

Yes CHEWBACCA. I didn’t want to appear greedy, but I would have also been very grateful for oxygen cylinders at several points on my way up scarfell!

A couple of benches, memorial or otherwise, on the way up the Great Orme would be good too. And an oxygen cylinder at the top would be most welcome!

I like a nice sit down wherever I go..
The benches here are very reasonably priced. Far less than I thought it would cost, and they're kept in pristine order.

In fairness OLDMEG, as somebody who has climbed Scarfell Pike on a couple of occasions, one or two benches on the way up would have been a delightful surprise

If Debenhams is a public space, why does the public not benefit from the profits?

Well, in that case, you will not get to sit down in Debenhams, will you, lemon?
I think you are missing the point of memorials.
Why did you introduce the idea of not being able to sit down in Debenhams into this thread?

I agree with you MissA, indeed.