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Faringdon Town Council

A Touch of Berners for the Portwell Bench

Posted on September 16, 2014

A touch of Berners for the Portwell Bench

Press Release

With the financial support from Bloor Homes the Pink Pigeons trust have been helping Faringdon Town Council rejuvenate the Portwell bench in the market place!

The Pink Pigeons selected nationally acclaimed artist, Tim Shutter, to propose designs for the stone bench that help to repair the existing damage to the bench, but also introduce an artistic charm and a celebration of Lord Berners to the stone work itself.

Tim Shutter has proposed two quirky and intriguing designs were voted on by the public of Faringdon, who chose the design representing a deep sea diver.

The bench has been cleaned and the artist has been working in his studio carving the main feature for the bench and will be installed on 17th September.

The sculpture celebrates the famed event when Lord Berners helped Salvidor Dali parade across Faringdon market place dressed as a deep sea diver. The humour of Lord Berners is encapsulated with the inscription ‘Mistrust a man who never has an occasional flash of silliness’ carved into the back rest.

Faringdon Town Team and the Pink Pigeons Trust cordially invite you to the grand opening of the Portwell Bench featuring the ‘Dali Diver’ by artist Tim Shutter on the 27th of September at 12.00 for the grand unveiling at 12.30pm.

There will be entertainment and activities suitable for the whole family, as well as an eccentric dress code for all who truly embrace the spirit of Berners.

We look forward to seeing you there.

RSVP Bethia Thomas, [email protected]

Please come along and join us welcome this significant work of art to our town!

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Meetings

  • Facilities Committee Meeting to be held on Monday 2nd June 2025 at 7pm
  • Extra Community & Partnerships Committee meeting to be held on Monday 2 June 2025 at 6.30pm
  • Planning & Highways Committee to be held on Monday 19th May 2025 at 7.00pm in the Jubilee Room, The Pump House.
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  • Annual Town Council Meeting to be held on Monday 12th May 2025 in The Jubilee Room, The Pump House, Market Place, Faringdon at 7.00pm.
    Annual Town Council Meeting
  • Grants Sub-Committee meeting to be held on Monday 28th April 2025 in The Jubilee Room, The Pump House, Market Place, Faringdon at 6.30pm.

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