I really want a memorial bench. Always have.
Southwark Council, where I live, will let you put a bench in my local park for £500. You can even walk round with the park rangers and choose the location. So I'm going to do that.
It's a lot of money, but I want to invest in a bench that I can enjoy for the rest of my life.
And that's sort of the problem. Obviously these benches are normally bought by loved ones to remember someone who has passed away. I'm not dead which is great, but leaves me with a dilemma as to what I should write on the plaque.
So what should I write?
BENJAMIN TERRETT 1976-
GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND #980 IN EVENING STANDARD'S TOP 1000 PEOPLE
MAN OF COURAGE AND INTEGRITY
Posted by: Tom Taylor | May 11, 2011 at 09:47
£500 well spent.
in pre-membrance of b terret.
not yet dead.
(probably)
Posted by: dave funkypancake | May 11, 2011 at 10:01
Ha! I was just thinking this morning that when I kicked the bucket, what I'd really like is a memorial bench. Spike Milligan's line on his headstone "I told you I was ill" still makes me smile, but's it's been done, I'd love to come up with something that makes a complete stranger smile after I've gone.
The idea of having a bench before I'd died never occurred to me before – it's a great idea. Maybe something along the lines of "somewhere to sit and think, and have a sandwich, courtesy of Ben Terrett,"
Love Tom's "Not dead yet (probably)"… and would finish with that, or maybe I'd flip that to "Hopefully still alive"
Posted by: CrocodileJock | May 11, 2011 at 10:22
Sorry, it was dave funkypancake's line. Must pay more attention.
Posted by: CrocodileJock | May 11, 2011 at 10:23
'Reserved'
Posted by: ed | May 11, 2011 at 10:49
Ben Terret.
Once blurred, never forgotten.
Posted by: Antiquote | May 11, 2011 at 10:51
"He's behind you"
Posted by: Daniel | May 11, 2011 at 10:56
The temptation is to do some kind of amusing take on the traditional 'memorial' message.
Perhaps it'd be more interesting to think of some text which is actually useful or enhances the experience of people using the bench though?
Something like:
From here, you can see X - it's just next to the Y on the horizon.
Or, if there isn't much of a view, perhaps something to do with the wildlife:
Look out for the green parakeets - no-one quite knows how they got here.
You get the idea...
Posted by: Frankie Roberto | May 11, 2011 at 11:07
Something heart touching should be written on the memorable bench so that your near and dear should keep you in their heart for ever.
Posted by: magento themes | May 11, 2011 at 11:12
Ben died here.... Yip that's right pretty much just where you're sitting.
Posted by: Andy | May 11, 2011 at 11:12
"i'm watching you." or "Nice hair."
Posted by: Chris | May 11, 2011 at 11:45
Benjamin Terrett (19xx–20xx) Died Tragically Rescuing His Family From The Remains Of A Destroyed Sinking Battleship.
Posted by: Daniel | May 11, 2011 at 12:00
This one from Swanage Pier is nice and simple, but a bit big-headed to make yourself
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilike/2941848972/
I think you should do something funny with the kerning. A joke that only you will get.
Posted by: Anne | May 11, 2011 at 12:00
Ben Terrett
1959 -
Forgotten but not gone.
PS: Hope I guessed your birth date right.
Posted by: Nick Asbury | May 11, 2011 at 12:03
Anne, the big-headness is not a problem. I'm the kind of person who would buy their own memorial bench remember?
Posted by: Ben | May 11, 2011 at 12:05
Thanks for the suggestions everyone, they are great. Keep 'em coming.
Posted by: Ben | May 11, 2011 at 12:06
"I couldn't think of anything to say; I just wanted a bench and to be remembered."
Posted by: Topfife | May 11, 2011 at 12:24
Haha, I'm loving 'he's behind you', and 'forgotten but not gone'. Very clever!
I'd have the quote "The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes" - Frank Lloyd Wright. Ties in with design too :)
Posted by: minxlj | May 11, 2011 at 12:33
"It's not you. It's me."
Posted by: Chris | May 11, 2011 at 12:44
Nick, currently you're the one to beat!
Posted by: Ben | May 11, 2011 at 12:49
"I didn't choose this font"
Posted by: Andy | May 11, 2011 at 12:51
BLIMEY YOU'RE HEAVY
Posted by: giles | May 11, 2011 at 12:55
Great post. We all need some bench. Have you got problem write your disertation ? we only employ great copy. Writers.
Posted by: Tom | May 11, 2011 at 13:00
Nice one Tom.
Posted by: Ben | May 11, 2011 at 13:21
Look how thin I am.
Posted by: Russ | May 11, 2011 at 13:42
Russ - hahaha
Posted by: Ben | May 11, 2011 at 13:54
"Bugger off...this is my bench!"
"Ain't gone yet..."
"Here I sit, just waiting..........."
Posted by: T | May 11, 2011 at 14:02
BENch
Posted by: Richard Holt | May 11, 2011 at 14:29
"Sit on it."
Posted by: twitter.com/jamesb | May 11, 2011 at 15:35
"@benterrett"
Posted by: Chris | May 11, 2011 at 17:35
Ben's favourite place to sit and remember. When I am gone you are welcome to do the same.
Posted by: Aden_76 | May 11, 2011 at 17:47
Something to do with tea? Like this, but without the past tense?
Posted by: Paul Mison | May 11, 2011 at 18:02
Oh, that ate the URL. http://www.flickr.com/photos/blech/2872536796/
Posted by: Paul Mison | May 11, 2011 at 18:16
Resting Piece
Posted by: alexparrott | May 11, 2011 at 19:17
Designed for life.
Posted by: Giles | May 11, 2011 at 19:23
Fresh paint
Posted by: Antonio | May 12, 2011 at 04:27
In memory of Ben Terrett - against all odds, he had a very hot wife.
Posted by: Michelle Ruddenklau | May 12, 2011 at 12:30
There was a young man called Terrett
Who wanted to show his merit
He bought a park bench
But felt a real wrench
When told he would have to share it.
Posted by: Gareth | May 12, 2011 at 18:54
Instead of words, how about a pretty picture?
Posted by: Mark Boxall | May 12, 2011 at 19:52
"he loved george michael." or, "given the choice, he'd have preferred better type."
Posted by: james | May 12, 2011 at 22:20
Flash git.
Posted by: John | May 13, 2011 at 10:42
Not as up himself as this might suggest
Posted by: John | May 13, 2011 at 14:00
Peddler.
Posted by: John | May 13, 2011 at 14:00
Lash a QR code on it.
Posted by: Topfife | May 14, 2011 at 13:51
"Shuffle up."
Posted by: Fran | May 14, 2011 at 15:14
MADE IN CHINA
Posted by: Michael | May 15, 2011 at 01:40
BANKSY.
Posted by: lauren | May 16, 2011 at 14:16
It's a rain dirt town, job hurts, but it don't pay.
Posted by: Tom | May 17, 2011 at 12:45
"A ship called Dignity
That ship"
Send "Dignity" Ringtone to your Cellphone call +44xxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Andy | May 18, 2011 at 22:12
"Bet you can't guess where I'm buried..."
should keep them busy^
"Lorem Ipsum dolor sit amet"
or
"voice activated engraving app? bullshit."
Posted by: Sean | May 19, 2011 at 14:14
Many a happy wank had on this bench. Mr T Ramp.
Posted by: Sidavis | Sep 05, 2014 at 13:55