That's a question Donald Purkiss asked himself at Bridge End Garden on Friday (16 Nov).

A photograph of Donald as a young boy prancing on a wooden seat that once existed in Bridge End Garden in Saffron Walden in the 1920s has helped a local craftsman to recreate the bench some 80 odd years on.

Pic: Donald and his sister Joyce posing on  the bench. The photograph is believed to have been taken in 1924, Donald was aged about three and Joyce aged about five.  

The photograph is believed to have been taken in Saffron Walden when Donald was just three years old - which would have been 83 years ago in 1924.

Local architect Donald recalled his childhood days, saying: "My father used to take us to Fry's Garden as we called it then. He took many pictures and my father would really be pleased to think his photos have helped in the restoration project."

Uttlesford District Council's Restoration Manager for Bridge End Garden John Bosworth originally thought it would be good to replace a tree that appeared in the photo and Donald kindly donated a walnut tree. John noticed the bench and decided to replace that too.

Trevor Reynolds of Reynolds Joinery was charged with the task of recreating the bench, working from the picture showing the young Donald at play. As it took shape at the joinery at Ashdon Road Commercial Centre, it crossed Trevor's mind to make another bench. On Friday he officially presented the Garden with two benches for the price of one.

Donald said: "Trevor has sent me photos of the benches as they were being made. The final one made me laugh - it shows Trevor in a similar pose on the new bench to the one I had struck in the old photo he worked from."

Trevor, creator of the new bench, said: "Every job is different, we don't mass produce things. All our items are one-offs and because you don't know all the details of construction, you have to use your experience and instinct to re-create something.

"On this job, I just worked from the one photo to make a bench for Bridge End Garden and thought it looked so nice I'd make two. Our next job is to make four benches of a modern design for the Garden."

Pictured front left to right are: Emily, Donald and William Purkiss with UDC Project Restoration Manager John Bosworth. Back row standing is Trevor Reynolds (left) and UDC Head Gardener Mark Ropkins. Donald established an architects' practice in King Street in 1956, where he has been succeeded by his son, Peter.

John Bosworth explained: "There was a moveable seat on the main lawn where Donald once did his jumping. We had one bench modelled on the design for the Phase Two restoration by Reynolds Joinery of Saffron Walden who generously donated another one. I'm extremely grateful for their generosity and I'm equally pleased with the end product – a lovely reproduction of the original seat from which we took the design.

"The time was ripe to celebrate the benches' arrival at the garden before placing the seats in their final positions in the walled garden for all to enjoy."