The next time you are sitting on a public garden bench with a plaque, be sure to read it.
Bench plaques are usually “in memory” of lost family members who liked to spend time at a particular place, and most inscriptions are sentimental and emotional. They are not known for their wit and hilarity.
Unless the garden benches are dedicated to a member of the Devenish-Phibbs family: 
Image source: Croy Devenish-Phibbs website.
The mystery of Croy’s plaques
Over a period of a year leading up to August 2009, a nationwide treasure hunt was set up by a 103 year old gentlemen called Croy Devensih-Phibbs from the comfort of a residential care home. Claiming to be the UK’s oldest silver surfer, Croy set up a website to find plaques dedicated to his family members. This project is part of his internet course, run by a care home worker called Gary.
Offering rewards for photos of any plaques found, Croy has amassed a collection from all over the country. The plaques honouring his deceased family members all have one thing in common. They, much like his website, are incredibly funny.
Since he graduated from the silver surfer course, Croy’s website has sadly stopped being updated and his Twitter account is deadly silent. We may never know if Croy found all his family plaques or even if he is still alive. We are not even certain he ever existed for real.
Some suggest he was an art student, a practical joker or really was a pensioner with a particularly wicked sense of humour. Others suggest he may be a comic Banksy, with online comments left on several threads from a person purporting to be an art dealer seeking to purchase the plaques.
Whoever was behind it, the story and pictures live on and you can still visit Croy’s website (wonderfully made to look like a silver surfer made it).
If you have seen a plaque on a garden bench near you in memory of any of the Devenish-Phibbs clan, then please leave a comment. Or let Croy know through his website – assuming he is still alive and kicking that is.
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Tags: Bench Plaque, Garden Bench, Plaque
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