Stephen Fry's voice used by Felbrigg Hall talking bench
- Published
The voice of Stephen Fry can now be heard by visitors sitting on a bench at a Norfolk country house.
A five-minute anecdote from the British actor can be heard while sitting on the seat in the gardens of Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer.
In his commentary he recalls filming the comedy movie A Cock And Bull Story at the National Trust estate in 2006.
Other benches featuring the voices of celebrities have been placed at sites around the UK.
"To quote, or nearly quote, WH Davies, 'What is this life, if full of care, we have no time to sit and stare?'
"I'm very proud to be associated with a bench and I hope I provide comfort, balm and solace for many a weary bottom," said Mr Fry, 53, who grew up in rural Norfolk and is a director of Norwich City FC.
The voice-over benches took more than six months to produce and are engraved with three words from each personality that describes the surroundings.
"I'm delighted that Stephen Fry feels at home when he visits Felbrigg," said Ray Sandham, property manager at Felbrigg Hall.
"With long associations with the hall - from visits as a small boy to filming Kingdom and A Cock and Bull Story - he passionately describes it as a place that's serene, intimate and alive," he added.
The 17th Century hall recently underwent roof restoration costing £250,000.
Other celebrities to lend their voice to benches around the UK include John Sergeant, at Petworth House, in West Sussex, and comedian Miranda Hart, at Cragside, in Northumberland.
- Published19 May 2011
- Published13 August 2010