A la Ronde gains story-telling chair (From Mid Devon Star)

A la Ronde gains story-telling chair

1:50pm Sunday 9th May 2010 in News

THE National Trust’s A la Ronde, near Exmouth, has a new piece of practical artwork in the garden.

Made from English oak from a Devon sawmill, and sourced from fallen trees, craftsman Tom Hyde has designed and made a `Story-telling Chair’.

As an artist, Tom starts a piece by putting the seat slab on blocks, leans the back piece up and begins to get a feel of how the design will evolve.

Tom knows what he has in mind, but the wood suggests what it is going to end up like, and then evolves.

Tom makes templates to get right shapes, and doesn’t cut out the wood before he is entirely happy with the result.

This piece started out with planks 30ins wide 3ins thick and 9ft high. It took two weeks and more than 80 hours to complete. Now the chair is in place, on the haha lawn looking over to views of the Exe estuary.

Salli Carr-Griffin, Assistant Property Manager said: “We have both a beautiful piece of sculptured art and a practical piece where we can base story-telling sessions.

“We hope visitors will enjoy sitting in the chair, taking photos and finding inspiration from it – from the design, possibilities of its use as an art form, and using recycled materials in a practical yet creative way.”

Later this season we will be holding workshops for Creative Writing and Learning to Tell Stories. For children, story-telling sessions are planned for Play Day on Wednesday, August 4, and for Halloween in October.

For a full list of events please contact the property, or visit the National trust website www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alaronde