Picture


Chapel Notice Board

David Wilmot, the Friends’ Treasurer,  refurbished the Chapel notice board for the second time. A gap had opened between the wooden sections and with the help of his grandson, Lewie, the board has been reinstalled looking very smart again.
Changing themes
Very attractive displays are set up in the Chapel by two members of the Friends Committee. The displays reflect interesting news and events of the past.  Here below are a Christmas display with articles from the 1940s and Remembrance.
 ​


International Club for Air Force Officers' Wives - Wednesday March 2nd 2022 

Picture
​Paul Grant ( Chairman FSGC) and Margaret Wilmot (Secretary FSGC), attended a lunch at the RAF Club in Piccadilly as the guests of Mrs. Pauline Garlick, a member of the International Club for Air Force Officers Wives and a long time member of the Friends of St George's Chapel.
​They are seen here sitting in front of one of the many paintings on display.
 Picture
Before lunch the two gentlemen pictured here gave a talk about the Dunkirk Small Ships Association and the history of the small ships  and the renovation of one of the small ships,  the 'Breda'.  It was a most interesting and enjoyable talk and it is hoped to invite them to give the same talk at the Chapel this year.


​They felt very privileged to sit at the table with Lady Wigston,  (in the red jacket) Chairman of the International Wives Club and wife of Air Chief Marshall Sir Mike Wigston.
Picture

​An enjoyable 4 hours was spent with an excellent lunch, the company of interesting and friendly people and a fascinating talk. Margaret and Paul said it was an honour to be there and  were very grateful for Pauline's invitation. ​
 Picture

​Coffee and drinks were served prior to our lunch and we were able to walk down the Gallery where the walls on both sides are adorned with Squadron Badges. Several that are in the Chapel were on display.

​​

The Wooden Cross

Pictures taken in March 2022

​The wooden cross was lovingly repaired by a volunteer in August 21. A plinth now seals the foot of the cross and new end caps were made. Covering the fixings, are stainless steel watch backs.  Embedded on both sides, is a Battle of Britain coin thus showing both sides of the coin. These give a wonderful finish to the fine workmanship. This restoration will ensure the existence of the cross for many years to come.                                           

​                                
Picture




​ The devoted volunteer is hard at work.
 Picture



​An example of the workmanship ...
a new end cap fashioned out of mahogany
The Friends of the Chapel are extremely grateful for this wonderful work. 

​The cross was outside St Rafael's Roman Catholic Church (now the Air Training Squadron Headquarters)  as the station closed. The steel inside, indicates that the cross was made by the 1960s.   Do you happen to know when it was first erected??? ​​
 We would like to know.

​
 ​​The Chapel Doors and Steps' Handrail
​The Chapel doors and 'furniture'  (ie the handles and locks) have been beautifully painted by a Museum Volunteer, Steve Brenchley.  He has also made the hand rails either side of the steps look like new.  We are very grateful to Steve for giving his time.
​
​ August  2021 - The Chapel Clock
​The Chapel clock is on time again! Having not worked for several years, the clock has been repaired and an automatic time adjustment has been installed. The clock will now reset  automatically to the correct time after a power cut.

This repair and installation was carried out by Patrick Sheehan of the HS Walsh and Sons of Churchill Way, Biggin Hill.  The firm supplies tools and equipment to horologists and jewellers. On top of that Patrick Sheehan arranged for the painting of the clock face!  

The time and equipment was given free of charge which was a wonderful surprise when the invoice was requested.  This most generous gift is a tremendous saving for the Friends of St George's Chapel and we are extremely grateful and delighted to have the clock working and looking so smart.

A tribute  in the Chapel ​

Picture




​In memory of the brave young Pilots,
Along side of the 38 airmen and
Nurse who lost their lives in
A bomb shelter direct hit
on the 30th 31st August.
THE worse days of Battle
of Britain at Biggin Hill
God Bless you and thank
you
RON SIMMONS 
Hastings Road, Bromley 
D.O.B 24.8.32

Visit in Memory of Czechoslovak Pilots

​On 8 October 2020, the 80th anniversary of the death of Sergeant Josef František, a  very highly decorated Czechoslovak pilot, the Czech Defence Attaché Colonel Jifi Niedoba and Chief Warrant Office Tomas Kaspar visited places where Czechoslovak aircrew operated in the Royal Air Force in World War 11.  They were given a tour of the Chapel by Margaret Wilmot, Chapel Verger. 

Colonel Niedoba placed a wreath below the Infant of Prague, in memory of the fallen Czechoslovak airmen who died in the war. Four of the many Czechoslovak airman who died, flying in the Royal Air Force  in World War 11, are remembered on the reredos. The wreath will be laid near the Gate Guardians on Remembrance Sunday.
Colonel Jifi Niedoba and Chief Warrant Office Tomas Kaspar ​
Light Shades Restored  September 2020
​Two of the Chapel light shades, made in the 1950s, which had broken from heat, have been restored by David Wilmot and Paul Grant.  This was a difficult delicate and time consuming task because of the material used in the manufacture.  After many months, they were back in position, in time for the Battle of Britain Service. 

Chapel Noticeboard 30th May 2020

The main noticeboard had split and was in need of lots of TLC.  It has been  refurbished  by a very good friend of the Friends of the Chapel and is back in situ.  We are very grateful to David Wilmot.