The chair is made of English hardwoods with a carved-out seat. The arms and back are shaped as one, with silhouettes carved into the splats - a girl and princess on one side, a boy and prince on the other, and a witch and wizard in the back splats. The back has a carved addition that curves and curls right over, with a brass plate dedicated to Joyce and Jim Byford. 

The front ends of the arms are carved as candlesticks, and the front legs are oversized eggs with sledgehammers resting on the shells. The front stretcher carries Noah's Ark, with animals looking out on either side. Noel himself appears on one side, wearing Wellington boots, while his cat watches on from the opposite side. 

Noel, now 83, made this chair as a tribute to his godparents and surrogate parents, Joyce and Jim Byford. Viewing the chair and taking photographs, he said he could still hear their delighted voices — though sadly they never got to see it. Noel went on to say: "Jim Byford particularly liked jokes and the unexpected — like the egg and sledgehammer, frozen in time, the candlestick supports, and having myself and my cat observing Noah's Ark. He was most particular about wooden furniture sympathetically shaped for human use." 

After finishing school, Noel was supported by Jim Byford in finding work in joinery and cabinet making, before going on to study design. Benefitting immeasurably from that broader awareness, Noel worked across mental health, craft teaching and building work — including building his own present home. He still has a small workshop today. 

Thank you for coming to see your chair, Noel, and for reminding us of its story — for many more parents and children to enjoy.