Drolla – The Storytelling Bench

Follow Drolla on it’s journey across the 12 sections of Cornwall National Landscape, inviting residents and visitors alike to pause, reflect and reconnect with local identity, folklore and the healing power of nature.

Drolla is a gathering place to inspire health, connection and wellbeing, launching at Trebah Garden from 23rd January to 27th April 2025.

About

We commissioned Cornish metal sculptors Thrussells to create a work of art that celebrates Cornish distinctiveness in the 12 sections of Cornwall National Landscape.

Aim

Deliver a project which uses nature and the arts to increase access to the protected landscape and improve wellbeing.

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Project Overview

Project Overview

Commissioned and co-designed by the Cornwall National Landscape team and crafted by renowned Cornish metal sculptors Thrussells, Drolla, which takes its name from the Cornish word for “folk tale” seamlessly blends intricate artistry with functional design. Its metalwork teems with symbols of Cornwall’s rich cultural tapestry: from mythical creatures and ancient legends to indigenous flora and fauna. Each flourish and curve is a gentle prompt to look a little deeper, listen a little more closely and appreciate the stories that live in the land.

The project underscores Cornwall National Landscape’s commitment to promoting the importance of open, accessible green and blue spaces for leisure, health and recreation. Ultimately, Drolla – The Storytelling Bench encourages visitors to share their own experiences, connecting personal narratives with a larger tapestry of Cornish life.

We are delighted that Drolla – The Storytelling Bench will start it’s journey around the 12 sections of Cornwall National Landscape at Trebah Garden (Section 8). The bench will be at Trebah from 23 January to 27 April 2025. It’s free to experience the bench in The Court Garden at Trebah and to pick up our special children’s activity sheets.

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Benefits

Our Primary Purpose is to conserve and enhance Natural Beauty.

Our priority is to lead and support projects which deliver under these four key categories.

benefit to people

People

Example people benefit

benefit to place

Place

Example place benefit

benefit to nature

Nature

Example nature benefit

benefit to climate

Climate

Example climate benefit

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Project Detail

The Drolla project is rooted in the belief that cultural identity, wellbeing and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Supported by a vibrant program of educational activities and community events. People will learn about the significance of the Cornish hedge, discover new walking trails and gain insights into local legends that have shaped the region’s character.

Drolla will be freely accessible to all. Visitors can take a seat, breathe in the fresh air and rediscover the simple pleasures of hearing a bird’s song or feeling the breeze in the trees. For families, special children’s activity sheets will encourage curiosity and observation, helping younger generations appreciate the landscape around them.

Images

Drolla - The Storytelling Bench at Colliford Lake

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Aims - Goals & Objectives

Aims – Goals & Objectives

Connect people to nature and heritage through the arts and culture.

Support the current cultural sectors of creative arts, performance and media that celebrate and enhance the character of the protected landscape.

Support the celebration of the cultural distinctiveness of the protected landscape.

Promote the cultural importance such as the benefits to people, place, nature, and climate of the Cornish Hedge as a heritage asset.

Utilise the beauty of the AONB as a tool to inspire people to explore the AONB for health, leisure, and recreation.

Raise awareness of the 12 Sections of the Cornwall AONB among its local communities and beyond the boundaries.

Encourage a wider range of people to use the AONB landscape and seascape for health and wellbeing benefits, within and outside the AONB

Specifically targeting areas in the AONB with the capacity and infrastructure to accommodate recreational activity and not those areas particularly sensitive to disturbance.

Drolla-The Storytelling Bench: In detail

The more you seek, the more you will find…. Drolla – the Storytelling Bench is filled with features of our landscape, wildlife, myths and legends.

Here are just a few highlights of what you’ll see, we’ll leave you to find the rest…The front of the bench features a map of Cornwall showing the 12 sections of Cornwall National Landscape. Can you find the section closest to you? Turn the cog to find it’s Cornish name.

On the sides you will discover “arvor”, the coast, and “goon”, the moor. Journey to the back of the bench to find the Cornish Hedge, how many creatures can you spot?

Line illustration of back rest of Drolla - The Storytelling Bench showing map of Cornwall and mythical creatures
Design Sketch by Thrussells for Drolla – The Storytelling Bench
Design Sketch by Thrussells for Drolla – The Storytelling Bench
Detail of the side panel of Drolla - The Storytelling Bench showing Cornish landscape and animals
Detail of the side panel of Drolla – The Storytelling Bench
Detail of back of Drolla - The Storytelling Bench showing Cornish Hedge
Detail of back of Drolla – The Storytelling Bench: The Cornish Hedge
The making of Drolla – The Storytelling Bench

Making Drolla – The Storytelling Bench

Lining the drawings onto copper plate

We commissioned Gary and Thomas Thrussell to create this treasure trove bench depicting the rich vibrant history and culture of Cornwall National Landscape. It is constructed from beaten copper, galvanised steel and Cornish Oak

Lining drawn image onto copper panels in Thrussells workshop

Making Drolla – The Storytelling Bench

Copper panels ready for beating relief

They said, “We created this bench in our workshop at Colquite Farm located in the heart of Bodmin Moor. The bench for us is filled with stories of connections and hidden meanings that is part of everyday life in Cornwall. We hope anyone that sits on this bench feels an even greater connection with Cornwall and its Celtic landscape and inspiring and strengthening their own connection with Cornwall helping to keep the Cornish magic alive.”

Copper ready to beat relief image in the Thrussells workshop

Making Drolla – The Storytelling Bench

Tools of the trade

Working with Gary and Thomas Thrussell (our creators) was a wonderful experience filled with inspiration and magic, to produce the production of a piece of art, that will hopefully create a sense of wonder, inspiration and joy!

Making of Drolla -The Storytelling bench in the Thrussells workshop
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