27/01/2020
This is a proposal for Public Seating on the Macclesfield Canal we are trying to get support for, please share this, thanks:
This project is proposed by Pete Kelly and Nick Stubbs of K+S Furniture, Unit 79, Goyt Mill, SK6 7HX. Tel: 0161 484 5995.
We would like to offer our services to build 3 benches of our own design, with dimensions (152cmW x 45cmH x 45cmD or custom made to fit the space).
The proposed site stretches from Bridge No. 3 at Goyt Mill to High Lane on the Macclesfield Canal.
We use diverted waste 24mm x 80mm x 2400mm strips of ‘B’ (exterior) Grade plywood. The strips are ripped and planed to size and glued together with finger joints to create end grain ‘Waterfall’ joints, which are super strong and permanent, nothing can work itself loose, or break off over time and the material is designed for outdoor use.
The simple backless benches are a generous width, able to seat two adults back to back comfortably, three along the length and monolithic in design, weighing 44kgs, which will be raised off the ground and set in cement.
The birch plywood comes from a business above us in Goyt mill, Marple, we are taking only some of their waste and are looking for more ways to use the plywood for projects in the community.
We are also starting a free weekly woodworking group called Marple Community Woodcraft to use the waste to combat social isolation, either with young people (over 19’s) or retired people with a common interest in woodworking and the concept ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ being the motivation driving the interest group.
We have a 1000 sq.ft space in the Goyt mill and the equipment required to start the group, we would like to engage volunteers in helping to build the benches, so it becomes a community-built item which will serve the community for decades. The placement of the benches could also be a community led decision and the locations could be suggested where they are most needed.
The demographic of Marple is a predominantly elderly community, so there is a need for benches if we are to encourage people to venture out, they may do if they know they can take a breather now and then.
The idea to build benches came from a stretch of canal next to Goyt mill (towards High Lane direction), there was a simple backless bench there originally, near the canal bridge road for the golf course. It rotted and fell over about 5 years ago and there are no other benches until you get to Goyt mill canal bridge, which we structurally repaired last summer. There are no other benches at all in the other direction towards High Lane.
The plywood we divert would go to landfill and we are coming up with new ways to use it all the time.
We are affiliated with Art Stop CIC, also in Goyt mill who recently completed a 75ft wide mural, using 384 waste plywood circles of varying sizes from the same source, which were painted by children and adults from the Marple community. The mural is at Rose Hill Train Station approach.
The project was a great success winning 1st Prize from The Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) National Community Awards, for F.O.R.H Intergenerational Community Art Project.
Another project we would also like to gather volunteers and raise funds for is to repair the footpath along the canal from Bridge No. 3 to High Lane, to fill the sunken areas with clay and stones, to provide a stable level surface and protect the canal bank from further erosion and promote an enjoyable walking experience.
