As restoration of the Gallery building reaches its final stage, work is starting on landscaping the site, laying paths and planning gardens.
We now seek your very generous support in our efforts to complete the full story of the Watts Gallery estate, through helping us purchase benches and Compton pots for the site. Your immense generosity would enable visitors to enjoy a lanscape in the style of Gertrude Jekyll, kindly undertaken by volunteers, and will bring alive the Compton Pottery with an historic pot field. In this way you will be preserving the industrial heritage of Compton and give pleasure to thousands of visitors.
The costs are:
£450 for a seat within a beautifully-crafted oak bench
£1,400 for a three-seat oak bench
£1,800 for a four-seat oak bench
£2,250 for a five-seat oak bench
(please choose the appropriate option from the drop-down menu below)
We are delighted to be working with local craftsmen to produce the benches and pots. Simon Burvill and his company Gaze Burvill based in Alton, Hampshire have designed a beautiful Watts-inspired range of benches for Watts Gallery. Simon has generously waived his development and delivery costs and reduced his prices by 30 per cent, to offer bespoke oak benches at these subsidised prices. Designs with carved engraving or brass name plaques are available. This is a great opportunity to have your name, or your loved ones¹ names, associated with the Gallery and honoured in posterity. Anyone who has seen Gaze Burvill benches at RHS Wisley or at the Wallace Collection will know the quality of his work. We would hope to have at least eight benches and 40 pots on the estate.
Two of Watts Gallery¹s Trustees, Debby Brice and Professor Rob Dickins, have generously each bought a bench to get this stage of the Hope Appeal started.
In addition:
- Name inscriptions can be hand-carved into an un-recessed area on the top rail
The inscription is required before Gaze Burvill begins to make the seat. The carving will be carried out by Lillyfee carving studio
- Alternatively, engraved brass plaques can be made and recessed into the top back rail (see sketch top right) at a cost of £84 per plaque including engraving and fitting.
N.B. For inscriptions and plaques please call Watts Gallery on 01483 810 235 to specify the relevant details.
