How much does dedicating a bench cost?
Dedicating a bench costs £3,500. This covers the cost of producing the bench, a personalised plaque, delivery and installation (including any groundworks that need to be completed) and maintaining the bench for 10 years. Thanks to your generosity, your dedication will also help care for the forest where you and your loved ones have created special memories.
Can I choose where my bench goes?
Our local team will identify a suitable spot for the bench. We will collaborate with you to select a location as close as possible to your preferred area.
Can I pick the design of the bench?
No. We have an approved design, which has been carefully developed and tested within our forests.
What do you mean by a 'fully accessible' bench?
Our accessible benches have been designed for a range of needs including different seat heights for those of varying stature and seats at the end of the bench allow people to transfer from wheelchair if they want.
Will the bench belong to me?
No. The bench will remain the property of Forestry England, who take full responsibility for maintaining the bench for the 10 year dedication period.
How long does my bench dedication last?
A bench dedication lasts for 10 years. We will contact you six months before the end of the dedication period with an update on the condition of the bench. It is vital that you keep us up-to-date with your details so that we can contact you. At the end of the 10 year dedication period, you will usually have the opportunity to renew your dedication for a further ten years for an additional contribution, subject to forest management plans
At the end of the 10 years can I make another dedication and extend my dedication?
Yes. We will contact you six months before the end of your dedication period with an update on the condition of the bench and to discuss options of whether you would like to dedicate another bench.
We will not be able to guarantee the same location, as this will depend on the next 10 years of management plans for the site. We will ensure that a location as close to the previous one is offered in discussion with you.
If you don’t want to dedicate a new bench, your plaque will be sent to the address we hold for you at the end of the original dedication period.
How long do benches take to be installed?
Timeframes for completing dedications will vary, depending on our suppliers’ workloads at the time and weather conditions. We can’t guarantee the installation of your bench by a given date, but your dedication period won’t begin until your bench has been installed.
If I buy a bench, or have one made for me, can I have this installed in the forest instead of one of yours?
No. We have an approved design, which has been carefully developed and tested within our forests. The dedication includes the cost of the bench, your plaque, delivery, installation, and maintaining the bench and the immediate area around it, plus a donation to care for the forest you love.
What happens if my bench is damaged?
The bench will be regularly checked by our site team. If the bench is damaged to the point of it being unusable we will replace it at our cost and inform you.
Forestry England reserves the right to remove the bench if needed for safety reasons. We will endeavour to contact you if your dedication bench needs to be moved.
What can I have written on my plaque?
Your inscription can be up to 30 words in length and will be engraved on to a 6” x 2” brass plaque. We ask that inscriptions have a celebratory tone, and we welcome inscriptions that share what your loved one enjoyed, or provide information about their connection with the park.
We request that inscriptions do not include dates or in-memoriam style phrases.
We welcome text in foreign languages, providing there is an English translation on the same plaque.
Can I dedicate a tree instead of a bench?
Not at the moment. We only offer dedication benches.
Can I customise or modify the bench?
No, all benches remain the property of Forestry England. You are dedicating the bench and do not own it. If there is something you would like to talk to the team about please contact benches@forestryengland.uk
Can I leave flowers or scatter ashes at the bench or in the forest?
Please keep dedication benches and the forest clear of floral tributes. Flowers can introduce pests and diseases that are harmful to the forest, and their packaging can harm wildlife and habitats.
It is not possible to scatter ashes in our forests. Sadly, ashes contain minerals in concentrations that can impact soil composition and harm plants and trees. This can also impact the wildlife that relies on this environment for shelter and food.
How will you keep in touch with me about the bench?
We will keep in touch with you in whichever way you would prefer; by phone, post or email. We will take these details when you dedicate a bench and ask which is your preferred way of communicating. It is your responsibility to keep us up to date with your contact details.