It’s “All Aboard!” for a project with a difference

In January last year Fullers Finer Furniture were approached in connection with a unique project. All Aboard is an exciting collaboration between Edinburgh charity People Know How and Polwarth Parish Church in the city, aimed at running a canal boat from Polwarth Pontoon. The project is designed to benefit the local community in a variety of ways. Polwarth Church is located adjacent to the Union Canal, which runs from Edinburgh to Falkirk.

The commission

The church had received a legacy to be used specifically for the provision of a piece of furniture for the transept area, to display information relating to the canal project. The second part of the commission was for multipurpose moveable screens.

In February last year Paul Fuller and his wife made a flying visit to Edinburgh to check out the project in more detail. On their return designs were drawn up for both items of furniture and by May the designs had been approved.

Heritage cabinet

The cabinet design included a display area behind lockable sliding glass doors and a surface to accommodate the folders etc relating to the canal project. The multitask unit also contained two double locking cupboards, a drawer to store wrapping paper and a pull-out desk, for use by the floristry team.

Mounted on wheels and finished in natural oak, the cabinet bears arches on the cupboard doors to complement those in the building.

The finishing touch was a brass memorial plaque dedicated to the memory of the much-loved church member behind the donation.

Screens with style

The final specification was for four moveable screens (pictured). Each screen is on four wheels and has been finished in oak, with 12 glass panels at the top. The glass panels (below) – made in North Somerset by Eligo Glass – are particularly noteworthy in that they are handmade and designed to pick up the colours of the canal water and complement the décor of the church. Each screen was decorated with arches as per the cabinet and finished with a hand-crafted angel in the right-hand corner.

The screens are currently used to hide chairs stored in the transept area of the church. They are very adaptable, in that they can be easily moved to accommodate varying chair storage requirements or equally can be used to divide any area in the church.

Most modern screens are functional at best, likely to receive only a fleeting glance. These screens are very different: they combine durability and functionality with symbolic beauty. They ensure the unsightly is safely stored behind bespoke crafted furniture which is itself well worth a second glance.

Paul Fuller’s wealth of experience in the bespoke furniture business means clients benefit not just from his own experience but also from his ability to collaborate with others and incorporate the best artisanship into his furniture, for a totally unique result.

“…the glass in the screens was so beautiful…there were many lovely comments…I am so pleased that I found your advert…it was such a pleasure to work with you.” Those are just some of the comments made following delivery of these special items to Polwarth Parish Church.

Everyone at Fullers wished Polwarth Parish Church and its community ‘all the best’ with their exciting venture and are pleased to have been able to contribute to the innovative and exciting project.

For further information visit www.fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk