The bench hit the headlines recently due to the National Trust using celebrities voices such as Stephen Fry and Miranda Hart embedded into a few specially chosen benches.Gill Moore a Manchester-based photographer was contacted by the BBC to explain her own Bench Project and the appeal of the humble bench.  

A short 4 min clip from the BBC World Service news programme "Newshour" from May 31st 2011.  Gill is interviewed about The Chorlton Bench Project; a fun but totally unscientific photographic quest to find the most popular bench in her local area.The project culminated in an photographic exhibition as part of the Chorlton Arts Festival.  There was a hugely positive reaction to the work and Gill was inundated with requests for people to share their own bench photographs and stories.  This strong interest convinced Gill the Bench Project needed to go worldwide and online, so the idea for a World Bench Project was born.

The World Bench Project is an ambitious web-based showcase for photographs celebrating benches from all over the world and the stories attached to them.The website is still under-construction, a few problems need to be ironed out, but after further testing the site should launch in the next few months.

The World Bench Project is non-profit and so far has been funded by Gill, a grant and some very talented helpers.  Once the website is fully functioning, the project will need beta-testers to upload their own favourite bench photographs to the website.If you like the idea of the project and think you may be interested and able to help please email: info@theworldbenchproject.com

You can read more information on the Chorlton Bench Project and see selected images here:http://gillmoorephotography.co.uk/portfolio-projects-thechorltonbenchproject-11.php


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