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The restoration by the National Trust of an architecturally and historically important oak and stone seat was marked on Tuesday 29th June, at Hightown Common in the New Forest.

The bench, designed by notable architect the late Elisabeth Scott, was first positioned in 1929 when the Open Spaces Society celebrated the purchase of the 40-acre Hightown Common, to save it from development.

The seat and the Common were dedicated to the memory of Lord Eversley, founder and President of the Society, who died in 1928, at the age of 96.

The Common, with its seat, was given to the National Trust in 1931.

Representatives from the National Trust, the Open Spaces Society and the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpaths Society came to admire the restoration of the elegant bench which had fallen into decay.

“Lord Eversley was a very far-sighted person who realised Commons everywhere were under threat from developers,” said Kate Ashbrook, General Secretary of the Open Spaces Society. 

“It is wonderful that the Trust have taken so much trouble, using local craftsmen to keep this memorial to him alive,” she said.

The stonework and carving were restored by Matt Williams of St. Leonards, while the oak seat was made by craftsman Andy Baerselman.

Elisabeth Scott, who designed the bench, was the architect responsible for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Her niece, Georgina Burrows, who lives at Bank in the New Forest, was delighted to see the seat restored.

“When the A31 was built, it became part of a bus shelter,” she said. Now you can see the beauty of the Portland Stone and the shape of the wooden parts.”

The bench was admired by others whose families were involved in the original purchase of the land, including William Ziegler and Bridget Amos.

“This has been a terrific undertaking,” said Ian Bradwell, New Forest area warden for the National Trust “And it’s all been worthwhile.”