Issue 37 Spring 23 WEB - Flipbook - Page 86
The Nations Table
Comes to Rochester
13m long table created from a 5000 year-old fossilised black oak tree to be displayed at Rochester
Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral is only the second venue to display
the table. It is currently at Ely Cathedral where it was
unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal. The vast table will
be on display in the Nave for a year from the 3rd March
2023. It will usually be in the Nave aisles but the
Cathedral has plans for it to be moved into the central
Nave at times through the year.
An incredible 13m long table made from fossilised wood
is coming to Rochester Cathedral from the 3rd March.
The Fenland Black Oak Table was made to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and is made of the
nation’s rarest and most precious hardwood – black oak.
In 2012, a giant black oak tree was found in a field in
Wissington Fen, East Anglia. A 13.2m long section of
a tree was discovered deep in the peat. It had laid
undisturbed for 5000 years. It is believed the tree would
have been an immense 55 metres tall when it was alive.
For comparison, present day oak trees are around 20
metres.
Visitors will be able to feel the table and marvel at the
incredible craftsmanship which has gone into preserving
the table. Alongside the table will be panels detailing the
history of black oak and the ten-year project to turn the
wood into a functioning table.
Rochester Cathedral is keen to make sure the table does
not just become something to look at. They want as many
people as possible to use the table. The table was created
to be a “Table for the Nation”.
For ten years a team of privately funded specialist crafts
people worked to create a stunning sculptured table from
the 5000-year-old wood. Allowing this incredible tree to
be preserved in perpetuity for future generations to admire
and use.
Throughout the year a programme of events using the
table will take place. Schools and families will be encouraged to use the table for activities exploring both the
incredible tree and the history of the Cathedral. People
will even be able to have dinners on the table if they wish
to hire it for the evening. The public are encouraged to
get in touch with the Cathedral if they have ideas of how
they would like to use the table.
Leading the Fenland Black Oak Project to create the table
has been Hamish Low. The creation of this table could
not have happened without the generosity of private
donors, local businesses, charitable foundations and trusts.
Hamish Low says “We are truly grateful to all those who
have funded this project. In addition to the support that
has come from The Building Crafts College in Stratford,
London, who not only allowed the use of their workshop
facilities but encouraged students from their cabinet
making and woodworking courses to get involved.”
Dean of Rochester, The Very Rev'd Dr Philip Hesketh
AKC DL says ‘We feel so very privileged to be hosting this
remarkable table in the Cathedral. It is an amazing piece
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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