Bench Challenge Anniversary

Way back in 2015 – yes that really is ten years ago – I decided to post photos of the numerous benches sitting in my folders. It seemed that I was not alone and suddenly it turned into the Bench Challenge where I set a particular criterion each month and people joined in posting their bench photos. It was a lot of fun and I met a lot of wonderful bloggers through it.

Drolla – The Storytelling Bench.

A different kind of bench appeared this month.  Commissioned and co-designed by the Cornwall National Landscape team and crafted by renowned Cornish metal sculptors Thrussells, Drolla, which takes its name from the Cornish word for “folk tale,” seamlessly blends intricate artistry with functional design.

Its metalwork teems with symbols of Cornwall’s rich cultural tapestry: from mythical creatures and ancient legends to indigenous flora and fauna. Each flourish and curve is a gentle prompt to look a little deeper, listen a little more closely and appreciate the stories that live in the land. Source: Cornwall National Landscape

Drolla is a gathering place to inspire health, connection and wellbeing, the Storytelling Bench will start it’s journey around the 12 sections of Cornwall National Landscape at Trebah Garden (Section 8). The bench will be at Trebah from 23 January to 27 April 2025.

This year I am returning to mark the occasion by posting a bench photo every Sunday. There will not be any particular theme set this year so it’s not really much of a challenge, but if there is anyone out there who still has a bucketful of bench photos and would like to join me, then please do so by adding a link in the comments or a link to my post in yours (a pingback) and I will happily pop along to admire.