Welcome to Chilstone’s News Blog

Live demonstrations at the Open Weekend

Come along to the great Chilstone Open Weekend being held this year on the 24th and 25th April.  There will be lots to see besides our great collection of garden ornaments and animal sculptures. There will be live demonstrations of our workshop techniques and planting demonstrations.

Noted sculptors will attend and visitors will also be invited to make their own piece of chilstone! There will also be a remarkable demonstration of power stone cleaning and a refreshment area and Barbeque.

Come and explore our 35 acres of showgardens, woodland and lakeside walks. You can even bring your dog (on a lead only please). Visitors can also see our new summerhouses and get lots of ideas for the garden this summer.

One of the new window displays

World famous luxury goods maker Aspreys have installed Chilstone stonework among the priceless jewels as part of their exclusive Bond Street window display. The balustrading and other stonework are genuine articles just like the fabulous jewels and precious ornaments on display in the famous arched windows.

“We are delighted to have our stonework on display at such a prestigious address” said Chilstone general manager Steve Clark, “Asprey represent the best in personal possessions and Chilstone represent the best in garden ornaments.”

Aspreys have chosen a selection of ornaments from our range to set off a wonderful collection of summer goods in their elegant windows along exclusive Bond Street.

Beautiful but take care that ice will not damage your fountain

As predicted on these pages, the whole country is smothered in snow drifts so do not forget our advice on caring for your garden ornaments (see below).

There is good news however and fears of a shortage of garden ornaments have proven to be unfounded as the hardy Kentish Lads and Lasses of Chilstone have been hard at work. In fact December was a record breaking month and the New Year has started very well too!

The lovely Chilstone Stags were in great demand over the past twelve months and we also made many classical porches and architectural features. This month we have even had an order for classical columns from Japan!

We hope that you have been able to get about and remember to wrap up well!

See the Sea by Jonathan Hateley

This fascinating contempory garden feature is  See the Sea by Tunbridge Wells based sculptor Jonathan Hately. The piece is in the shape of a seashell yet on closer inspection is actually a swirling school of beautifully wrought fish.
These shapes within a shape are a theme that Hately explores in a sequence of exciting and original pieces on show to the public in our Tunbridge Wells showgardens.
The piece is made of resin bronze and measures 91cm high and 41 cm wide. It is also available in Bronze  in a limited Edition of 9.

Jambo the Gorilla

Readers of this blog will be familiar with the story of Jambo the Gorilla and know of our splendid statue. All through 2009 we have travelled around the country attending various events and Jambo has come with us.
We have to admit that he was easily the most popular exhibit especially with children! Being fashioned in bronze, Jambo is non the worse for his adventures and looks as imposing as ever.
On our travels we were often asked if Jambo was for sale and now we are in a position to consider serious offers. Jambo is a lifesized portrait in bronze of the most famous gorilla in the world. He is one of a limited edition of only five and can be visited at our Kent showgardens by special appointment.
For futher details, please call Steve or Duncan on 01892 740866.

A six pointer spotted in the showgardens

Of all the magnificent animals in the world the stag is perhaps the most gentle yet masculine. A gentleman of the animal world as it were.
Our own stag is pretty magnificent too and even sports a genuine pair of antlers. This year has proven a great year for our little stag and we have sent them all over the world, the latest being a pair sent to a distinguished  lady in the United States.

Calon and Scott complete a fountain bowl

The Oxford Fountain is our largest product. It is difficult to make because of its scale but very satisfying to sell as it is a beautiful piece. There are Chilstone Oxford Fountains all over the world (including Oxford) and this week we despatched two more! – one to S.E. London and another to Belgium.
The fountain is so large that once begun it cannot be stopped. This of course means that no meal breaks are possible and so the craftsmen can only eat while they work on the bowls. On the plus side, the company supplies hot fish and chips to the lucky chaps.

Weathered and full of character

During one of our restoration projects we came upon a hidden floor of terracotta tiles. The tiles are of a good age and would make a fine and characterful floor for a period   kitchen or perhaps for a path to a front door.
In fact the tiles are so good we are offering them to a descerning buyer for £3.00 each. There are 350 tiles in all which would cover approx 125 sq feet. The full load would cost £1050 plus VAT – although we would consider an offer.

A classic urn among some beautiful trees

Milntown, a fine historic house on the Isle of Man has ordered a replacement pedestal for a large urn in the magnificent 500 year old estate.
This is another example of the kind of restoration and replacement work that we are proud to do and love to work on.
The chamfered pedestal needed to be taller to create a focal point at the end of an avenue of handsome beeches.

Our Kent Showgardens during Winter

Winter is creeping up. It stops being all sunny, the days get gradually shorter. It gets darker and colder then BOOM – It’s freezing. Don’t get caught out (again), now is the time to take precautions with your precious garden features.

Firstly make sure your lovely urns have drainage, clear any holes so that water can drain away, because the two main enemies are water and frost.

Most importantly, make sure that a valuable fountain is empty of water and ideally bagged in polythene. Water expands when it freezes and so can break almost anything.  A ping pong (table tennis) ball or other floating object will prevent a birdbath icing up and can still be used by the birds!