Portland stone would be an ideal material for benches in the borough (From Dorset Echo)

Portland stone would be an ideal material for benches in the borough

8:20pm Thursday 21st January 2010 in

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I REFER to Barbara Pardy's letter 'Unforgiving Stone' (Your Say, January 18) regarding Portland stone benches.

I was the councillor who proposed, that in addition to others materials used for bench making, Portland stone should be considered. Fellow councillors agreed with my proposal.

I would like to think that the council would adopt a policy of 'only' providing Portland stone benches throughout the borough.

Apart from any other reasons, of which there are many stone is vandal and weather resistant and costs less than the uninspiring metal and wooden seat.

Portland stone is a revered building and monumental medium, used for its colour, weathering features, variety, crispness when carved.

Major buildings, monuments and projects throughout this country and the rest of the world use Portland stone by choice.

This is the home of Portland stone, and what better way of showing off Portland's heritage than displaying carved benches throughout the borough.

Mrs Pardy mentions in her letter 'taking a rest and admiring our gorgeous coastline'.

Well, from the municipally-functional Preston sea wall, where the replacement of the rusted metal and wooden benches prompted my proposal, Mrs Pardy's gorgeous view across Weymouth bay to Portland will be enhanced by the presence of carved stone benches.

Mrs Pardy asks whether I have ever sat on a stone seat. That is exactly what ramblers and walkers do on Portland, that is what tourists do at Portland Bill, that's what I have done since I was a boy at East Weares.

I am sure, if the residents of Preston have sensitive bottoms, the council will put out to tender a licence to provide blow up cushions. There is a Portland stone bench in Radipole Lane should anyone require a 'test sit'.

Hannah Sofaer at the Portland Sculpture Trust has an aspiration to host an international bench carving competition. I am sure there would be sponsors for the stone and prizes.

The stone could be carved in situ providing a long lasting functional seat, the bench would be in effect an urban sculpture reflecting Portland stone, the World heritage coast and the skills of the carvers.

As Mrs Pardy says in her letter 'For goodness sake - be sensible'

Coun Tim Munro, Portland.