Challenge

In 2009, Lewes Priory Trust won a £545,500 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant to complete the enhancement of this historic site in East Sussex, after previous investment from English Heritage (EH) and Lewes Town Council.

Lewes Priory is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the South-East, but suffered from a lack of interpretation for locals and visitors to understand its rich history. It had been fenced off as unsafe, with access limited.

The two year project involved conservation of the remains of the Norman site, making them safe for visitors, as well as improvements to access and interpretation of the Medieval Monastery which was to bring the attraction alive for 21st century visitors.

Inner fencing was to be removed and firm pathways, benches and interpretive signs were to be be installed.

Solution

Branson Leisure was contacted to provide timber benches that would blend with the historic setting. The company designed two styles of bespoke bench to the architects' specifications, from drawings.

Two curved benches were manufactured in prime European oak, to a radius specified by the architects. The seats were made in chunky 70mm-thick timber, with two boards fitted together to provide the width. Each seat comprised eight boards in total.

Two straight benches were provided, measuring 1.52m long with a middle armrest. These were also designed to the architects' specifications from drawings.

The final elements of the seating involved a combination of two of Branson Leisure's popular off-the-shelf products, the Greenwich and Westminster benches. The architects liked elements of the style of each bench, so a hybrid design was created to accommodate these requirements. Two of the pieces were carved with an inscription to recognise the donation of Lewes & District Round Table, while another was inscribed with a memorial message to Hilary Black, a Lewes Town Councillor who loved the site.

Outcome

Baroness Kay Andrews, Chair of English Heritage, commented after the award of Heritage Lottery Funding:

“Wonderful that such a significant part of our national history will now be made safe and brought back to life; wonderful for the whole Lewes community who will now be able to take pride and pleasure in a monument that means so much to the history of our town; and wonderful for everyone who will visit, enjoy, learn about and care for the Priory in years to come.”