Grown in Britain Week (14 – 20 October 2013) officially opened at Heal’s yesterday. As part of this initiative, Heal’s has partnered with British furniture maker Benchmark to produce an exclusive collection of English ash dining furniture – Cranborne – which is designed, sourced and made in the UK. The range was unveiled in the window at Heal’s Tottenham Court Road by Heal’s Chair Will Hobhouse, who was joined by Dan Rogerson, MP Parliamentary Under Secretary and Dr Peter Bonfield, Chairman of Grown in Britain.
Will Hobhouse, Chair at Heal’s, says: “Heal's has always been proud to support pioneering projects with a focus on craftsmanship, from Ambrose Heal's involvement in the Arts and Crafts movement to this latest collaboration with Benchmark. We are committed to working with Grown in Britain and the Woodland Trust to help grow a greener economy using the best local materials to create outstanding homegrown design.”
Dr Peter Bonfield OBE FREng, Chairman of Grown in Britain, comments: “Will Hobhouse and Heal's are to be commended for their excellent and innovative approach to providing a market for British hardwoods and the broadleaf woodlands they are derived from. Heal's has beautifully encapsulated the ethos and spirit of Grown in Britain which is helping to create a sustainable future for our woodlands and forests.”
Exclusive to Heal’s, the new Cranborne dining furniture by Benchmark comprises a table, a bench and an armoire. Crafted using solid English ash from the Cranborne Estate in Dorset, the range beautifully blends British-grown timber with a Scandinavian-influenced aesthetic. The journey from sourcing the timber to the product’s arrival on the shop floor, covers an estimated distance of 180 miles.
A film has been specially commissioned to document this pioneering project and process. Showcasing the design and craftsmanship that go into the collection, the film aims to encourage customers to think about sustainability, the future of British woodlands and how this affects our everyday lives. The English ash furniture and film are now on display at Heal’s Tottenham Court Road.
