Could an old pew from Bishop Monkton Chapel perhaps provide a unique design feature for your home? If so, why not get creative and purchase one of the Chapel's old pews, which are being removed in the New Year as part of the ongoing Chapel redevelopment programme.

Once renovated, the pew could maybe be used as a bench in a porch-somewhere to sit while taking off muddy boots to avoid trekking dirt through the house. Footwear could then be stored underneath. Old pews are also ideal for use as seats around a dining table, perfect seating for a group of children at mealtimes. How about window seating, easily created with a pew placed in front of a window. If the back rest blocks the view, simply remove it. Or for the smaller houses of today maybe cut benches in half and place round a small table in the corner of a room for a coffee get-together.

At least 10 pews are available to buy, all with hinged doors and made from pitch pine, which is stronger, more durable and with a darker, more golden colour than the pine of today. They are the original pews installed when the chapel was completed in the 1880's.

The chapel will be open on Friday & Saturday, January 3rd & 4th, from 10 a.m. to midday and again from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. for those interested to come along, together with their imagination, and envisage how perhaps the addition of a pew in their house might enhance their decor.

If these times and dates are not convenient, then please email Angie Archbold to arrange a suitable time for an alternative viewing. click

The pews are scheduled to be removed from the chapel during week commencing January 6th and are to be replaced with chairs, kindly donated from a deconsecrated chapel at Finghall, in Lower Wensleydale.

Ripon Men's Shed have already taken a couple of benches, one of which has been renovated and sold, see pictures above. The other one is currently undergoing restoration work. Tony Johnson, from the Men's Shed, told BM Today that the bench had renovated well, once all traces of any existing wax, stain or varnish had been removed. It was then sanded, repaired and filled. For our recent feature on the Ripon Men's Shed click here.

Tony adds, “I don’t think it really necessary to go that far, a good clean and wax remover and a re-polish will probably be enough as long as someone is happy with the rustic look”.

There is no fixed price stated for a pew, just a request for a donation towards chapel funds. Any sensible offer will be considered. All pews purchased come with their own fitted, padded seat, for no extra cost.