THE community spirit of Chapelton has been recognised with the unveiling of a specially commissioned stone bench, which was designed and built to commemorate a prestigious award from His Majesty King Charles’ Foundation, set up when he was The Prince of Wales.
Elsick Development Company (EDC), which is responsible for the vision and promotion of the North-east’s newest town, was awarded the first ‘Building a Legacy Community Award’ in 2022.
Candidates for the award – which celebrates UK landowners, developers and local groups who prioritise building walkable, mixed communities in a bid to improve their local area – were nominated by individuals and by The Prince’s Foundation.
Commissioned by EDC, the wall and bench were designed and built by Alford-based master craftsman in dry stone walling/dyking Steve Denham of Scottish Stoneworks, using locally sourced materials including boulders and stone from nearby Elsick Estate, timber from Southesk Estate and turf cope recycled from the existing site. Situated on Cairnhill next to the town’s Patey Park, the commemorative bench was designed to complement the ‘sheep fank’ entrance to the play area, which was also built by Steve.
The plaque was made by BBS Brick and Stone Ltd and is made from Scoutmoor stone.
The Duke of Fife, Chairman of EDC, said: “To have received the Building a Legacy Community Award is a great honour, and celebrates all the thought, planning and hard work that has gone into realising the vision for Chapelton, which was to create a sustainable, walkable community that offers the best of rural and modern life.
“The bench is a fitting tribute to that vision and provides a welcome resting place adjacent to the Chapelton Town Trail, offering an expansive view out across Chapelton to the North Sea, but also back to the entrance of Patey Park. The wall echoes the sheep fank effect at the playpark, and the design offers shelter and a resting spot.”
The unveiling of the bench coincides with the third annual meeting of the ‘Building a Legacy’ conference, also organised by the King’s Foundation.
Attended by around 100 delegates comprising landowners, advisors and builders involved in new designed settlements from across the UK, this year’s event is being hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Fife at Elsick House with tours of their development at Chapelton.
Its aim is to share best practice, raise awareness of legacy objectives across the UK and raise the standard of new build development by putting quality of place-making at their heart.
