During the early part of July, Racehill Community Orchard received the donation of a beautiful hand-carved wooden bench by a regular orchard visitor, Adam Eastman. Adam commissioned the bench to be made in memory of his daughter Minnie Rose who was only thirteen when she tragically died in 2019. The bench was carved out of a huge oak log by a master wood craftsman called Johnny Woodford who is based near Burgess Hill. Some of his work can be seen in Queens Park, Brighton in the form of seating around some trees.
Adam discovered Racehill Orchard during the first lockdown in 2020 and fell in love with the place. Indeed, he felt like Minnie Rose had found the orchard for him. He really feels like he can be close to her. He approached Kirsty about having a bench installed and a suitable location, and then he set up a Just Giving page where 150 people donated towards it.
Adam described Minnie Rose as fun-loving and caring. She was an aunty and had three older siblings.