Archbishop’s Park Bower unveiled

The bower was designed and hand-carved by local craftsman Arthur de Mowbray, whose work can also be seen at Waterloo Millennium Green, Tabard Gardens and the Tate Modern community garden.

The roof is red cedar and the seats and supports have been carved from a single oak tree.

The red cedar is from Cowdrey Park Estate in Sussex and the oak tree is from Hammerwood Park near East Grinstead.

Arthur chose red cedar as it is durable, pliable and lightweight. Red cedar originates from the western seaboard of the USA and Canada, where Native American tribes used it for totem poles and dug-out canoes, part of Arthur's inspiration for the design.

The bower also features a mosaic created by local social enterprise Southbank Mosaics.

The project, funded by a grant from Biffa Awards, was commissioned by the Friends of Archbishop's Park.

The bower has been planted with hops, apricot and white rambling roses selected and planted by Maddie Bell of Bloomingbelles.