Table Talk

 Back in 2019 - those heady pre-pandemic days when people did not have to socially distance, I posted a picture of some people carrying some wood...

This was the Fenland Black Oak Project. Hamish Low, a cabinet maker, who has worked a lot with ancient bog oak, found an incredibly large tree in the Norfolk Fens in 2012. A fallen tree which had lain undisturbed for 4800 years. 

Hamish and his team, and some huge excavators removed the tree from the Fens, and in specially built dehumidifying kilns, the planks, 13 metres long were dried out.

It was agreed that this wood should be made into a special table for the nation, to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and ten years later, the project is complete.The making of the table top was a phenomenal exercise. Four large planks, with 'river joints' - there are the outer two folding down to make the table easier to move into different locations, and the strong bronze under structure supporting the weight.

And now it is safely installed in Ely Cathedral, and was officially unveiled by Princess Anne yesterday. 

It was originally going into the Lady Chapel, but proved too big for the space, so is now at the side of the Nave. It will be in Ely till March 2023. I really want to visit!

Fans of "The Crown" will know that Ely Cathedral was used for filming the Coronation, when it 'stood in' for Westminster Abbey!