FOR most people a church pew is little more than a bench.

But when Simon Webb looks at a wooden pew he sees dozens of beautiful pens.

The Grange Park pen-maker has already made a case full of old-fashioned writing pens from a 160-year-old pew from Christ Church.

The historic pew was removed from the Old Town church during a recent refurbishment project.

Simon, who left a career in IT three years ago to throw himself into making pens full-time, said: “When I heard that the church planned to dispose of some pews I thought at once how fabulous it would be to give part of a pew another life as a pen.”

The oak pews date back to the church’s original construction in the 1850s, Simon said.

He added: “It’s beautiful oak, absolutely lovely. The wood has been very well seasoned.

“Underneath the dark exterior, the wood is a lovely pale brown colour with a gorgeous grain structure.”

Simon is making three different types of pen from the wooden pews: a platinum-plated ballpoint pen (£60), fountain pen (£140) and a “large, very imposing” gentleman’s desk pen (£160). All pens come in a presentation box.

Almost all of the pens will be made to order. Already, Simon said he has had interest from as far afield as Canada – with many couples who have been married in Christ Church keen for a piece of the church as a memento.

Pen-maker Simon has already made pens from original timber laid at the GWR Works, a 300-year-old walnut tree at Lydiard Park and a mulberry tree in the gardens of the Richard Jefferies Museum.

He said: “I just love working with wood that’s got a story behind it. I’ve been really fortunate to work with some very special timbers.”

Simon is regularly asked by people to turn furniture or other items with a significant sentimental value into pens.

One of his favourites was an old-fashioned street organ, almost totally destroyed by a fire in Royal Wootton Bassett. “The son managed to rescue some of the organ and I made a pen for his mother.”

Pen lovers can buy Simon’s creations at the Old Town Autumn Fayre at Christ Church on Saturday September 9, 12pm to 4pm, where the Grange Park man will launch his pew pen collection.

For more, visit: www.simon-webb.co.uk.