This elegant curved oak bench from Portsmouth Cathedral arrived in our workshop missing half of its back and one end frame. The Cathedral team entrusted us with the task of recreating the missing sections and restoring the bench to its full beauty. With its graceful lines and solid oak construction, it was a pleasure to bring new life to a piece that holds both craftsmanship and history within its design.

Assessing and replicating the missing parts

We began by examining the existing structure and making precise templates from the surviving parts. These templates served as guides for replicating the missing components in matching European oak. First, we milled the new timber to the same thickness as the original. Then, using the templates, we shaped the contours accurately with the bandsaw and router.

Once the new end frame was fitted and secured, we turned our attention to the curved backrest. The back was originally made of two steam-bent sections, each requiring very careful shaping and alignment. Reproducing this curve was a demanding process. It not only needed to follow the original sweep but also to meet the uprights at a compound angle.

Steam bending and shaping the new backrest

Creating the new backrest began with making a precise template. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, we achieved the perfect curve. A laminating mould was then built to glue together thin strips of oak into the correct shape and thickness. Because the workshop was near freezing temperatures that winter, we had to bring the gluing process indoors to prevent the adhesive from failing — any cold could cause delamination later.

Once the laminated oak was dry, we moved on to the final shaping. Every angle against the uprights had to be perfectly aligned, and the original design used counterbored, concealed screws, which we faithfully reproduced.

Finishing and refinishing

With all components securely in place, we shaped and smoothed every surface in preparation for finishing. The new oak was coloured to match the original tone before sealing with several protective coats. The result is a beautifully restored curved oak bench that once again complements the architecture of Portsmouth Cathedral.

This project was a real pleasure to complete — combining technical precision, traditional joinery, and respect for heritage. It’s always rewarding to help preserve local craftsmanship for future generations to enjoy.

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