Remembrance Garden
Archived entries
As at February 2018, there are three beds in the garden; the main bed at the front, two smaller beds at the back and a pergola that separates them. At the far end of the main bed is a stone, brass sundial monument presented in memory of Wing Commander Ian McCombie.
Initially there was only the main bed with the Maastricht stone that stood originally in front of a pergola; these two were gifted from the people in the Netherlands to commemorate the assistance given by the RAF to the Dutch Resistance in World War ll. The water fountain on the main grass area is no longer present. The bed was planted with 10,000 red tulips but when it was deemed too expensive to continue this, roses were planted instead. The smaller beds were added at a later date. The roses have been replaced at least three times since then, possibly four.
In the mid 90s David Duval and Valerie Heard ( Church Wardens) acquired the ‘ Battle of Britain’ variety of roses which did not survive for long and were replaced by a beautiful yellow rose, ‘Pot of Gold’. About three years ago, these were replaced with Korresia, also a yellow rose. The most recent planting , 2017, saw all diseased and dead roses replaced by the same Korresia roses to maintain continuity.
The pergola had a large wisteria growing over it and snowdrops grew around the base of its four central plinths. The narrow strips of garden around the chapel contain flowers planted at various times by Valerie Heard and her family; any plants that are left in acts of remembrance are also planted here.
The RAF station closed in 1992, and on June 22nd 1995 the garden was thought to have been consecrated by the Chaplain-in-Chief to the RAF, the Venerable Brian Lucas. It was subsequently found that he was not qualified do this so the garden was consecrated April 24th 2016 by the Bishop of Rochester.
Ashes of people connected to the chapel are buried in the garden; these include RAF personnel and their partners and members of the public who have been part of the regular congregation, right up to the present day. The interment of ashes is a relatively new feature. Memorials to those buried are recorded in two books, kept in the chapel. There are also several memorial benches donated by families, each has its own plaque detailing who it is in memory of. Veterans and families still visit the garden regularly.
Initially there was only the main bed with the Maastricht stone that stood originally in front of a pergola; these two were gifted from the people in the Netherlands to commemorate the assistance given by the RAF to the Dutch Resistance in World War ll. The water fountain on the main grass area is no longer present. The bed was planted with 10,000 red tulips but when it was deemed too expensive to continue this, roses were planted instead. The smaller beds were added at a later date. The roses have been replaced at least three times since then, possibly four.
In the mid 90s David Duval and Valerie Heard ( Church Wardens) acquired the ‘ Battle of Britain’ variety of roses which did not survive for long and were replaced by a beautiful yellow rose, ‘Pot of Gold’. About three years ago, these were replaced with Korresia, also a yellow rose. The most recent planting , 2017, saw all diseased and dead roses replaced by the same Korresia roses to maintain continuity.
The pergola had a large wisteria growing over it and snowdrops grew around the base of its four central plinths. The narrow strips of garden around the chapel contain flowers planted at various times by Valerie Heard and her family; any plants that are left in acts of remembrance are also planted here.
The RAF station closed in 1992, and on June 22nd 1995 the garden was thought to have been consecrated by the Chaplain-in-Chief to the RAF, the Venerable Brian Lucas. It was subsequently found that he was not qualified do this so the garden was consecrated April 24th 2016 by the Bishop of Rochester.
Ashes of people connected to the chapel are buried in the garden; these include RAF personnel and their partners and members of the public who have been part of the regular congregation, right up to the present day. The interment of ashes is a relatively new feature. Memorials to those buried are recorded in two books, kept in the chapel. There are also several memorial benches donated by families, each has its own plaque detailing who it is in memory of. Veterans and families still visit the garden regularly.
February 2018.
The garden was in need of some TLC and it was has a busy time for the Remembrance Garden volunteer group. Recruited volunteers resulted in a team of 5 in total, with 2 or 3 working at any one time.,
Weekly access to the garden was possible during building works from 10-2. Mr. King the site manager was very helpful ; there was no problem when we needed to go more often, or have access to water and electricity.
Roses were sprayed against greenfly, and fed and watered regularly but the list of tasks seemed endless, it was labour intensive and time consuming. Grass to cut, water channels around rose beds to be maintained and weeds to get rid of! It seemed as if as fast as we cleared the three beds of weeds they grew back faster and stronger.
Then there were the roses. Many of them were diseased or dead and needed replacing. Those of you who are gardeners will know that there is a problem with planting roses where roses have grown before and we had the sensitive issue of not disturbing buried ashes. We also wanted to keep the same variety of rose to maintain continuity.
Two rose beds behind the chapel were removed as part of the new build so any healthy roses were identified and pruned back prior to lifting for re-planting into the consecrated beds. No ashes had been buried in these beds.
Weekly access to the garden was possible during building works from 10-2. Mr. King the site manager was very helpful ; there was no problem when we needed to go more often, or have access to water and electricity.
Roses were sprayed against greenfly, and fed and watered regularly but the list of tasks seemed endless, it was labour intensive and time consuming. Grass to cut, water channels around rose beds to be maintained and weeds to get rid of! It seemed as if as fast as we cleared the three beds of weeds they grew back faster and stronger.
Then there were the roses. Many of them were diseased or dead and needed replacing. Those of you who are gardeners will know that there is a problem with planting roses where roses have grown before and we had the sensitive issue of not disturbing buried ashes. We also wanted to keep the same variety of rose to maintain continuity.
Two rose beds behind the chapel were removed as part of the new build so any healthy roses were identified and pruned back prior to lifting for re-planting into the consecrated beds. No ashes had been buried in these beds.
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Early 2018
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May- June 2018
The wisteria bloomed beautifully this year which was to be for the last time as the pergola was taken down, although every effort to save this structure that had been there for many many years, was made to save it by a group of friends.
Many roses were diseased or dead and needed replacing. New roses were planted in May within the 3 day window within which they had to be put in.
Site manager, Nick King, kindly watered the rose beds every day when volunteers could not be there.
Many roses were diseased or dead and needed replacing. New roses were planted in May within the 3 day window within which they had to be put in.
Site manager, Nick King, kindly watered the rose beds every day when volunteers could not be there.
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Cuttings that were taken from the cleared front garden of the Chapel and were potted up. If it is possible they will be re-potted into planters and possibly placed along the Selection Centre wall that forms the boundary line.
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By the end of the first week in August the remaining wisteria was cut back, leaving one main trunk at each brick pillar.
When this was complete the pillars were re-assessed for stability. Despite all efforts by friends hoping save the pergola, it came down in November 
The trees along the fence line were removed.
The fence was put back in place up to the wall of the old Selection Centre, this wall will mark the boundary of the Garden for the present moment. New pathways, in a form of aggregate, will give better wheelchair access to the Garden were made. |
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The main garden in June 2018 |
July-November 2018.
Roses;
The roses gave a beautiful display, despite the exceptionally HOT weather. Some bloomed three times.
Volunteers continued care of the Garden and there was the added bonus of no grass cutting!
In November 25 new roses were planted in ready for the winter.
Roses;
The roses gave a beautiful display, despite the exceptionally HOT weather. Some bloomed three times.
Volunteers continued care of the Garden and there was the added bonus of no grass cutting!
In November 25 new roses were planted in ready for the winter.
The Maastricht Stone
For fifty years the Maastricht Stone has stood in the Garden of Remembrance at St George’s Chapel Biggin Hill, being given by the citizens of that city in the Netherlands to mark the 50th Anniversary of the RAF.
It is a simple block of local Maastricht limestone with an inscription thanking the RAF for their support to the Dutch Resistance during the Second World War.
It was flown in by the RAF and a series of concerts were given in the Royal Albert Hall and Westminster Abbey by the famous local choir The Mastreechter Staar to mark the occasion.
Very appropriately in year 2018, which celebrated the Centenary of the RAF, the Museum Memorial Trust secured a substantial grant from the Heritage of London Trust to refurbish the stone and secured its permanence for future generations and the important links with our Allies in WWll so poignantly remembered in the Chapel.
For fifty years the Maastricht Stone has stood in the Garden of Remembrance at St George’s Chapel Biggin Hill, being given by the citizens of that city in the Netherlands to mark the 50th Anniversary of the RAF.
It is a simple block of local Maastricht limestone with an inscription thanking the RAF for their support to the Dutch Resistance during the Second World War.
It was flown in by the RAF and a series of concerts were given in the Royal Albert Hall and Westminster Abbey by the famous local choir The Mastreechter Staar to mark the occasion.
Very appropriately in year 2018, which celebrated the Centenary of the RAF, the Museum Memorial Trust secured a substantial grant from the Heritage of London Trust to refurbish the stone and secured its permanence for future generations and the important links with our Allies in WWll so poignantly remembered in the Chapel.
Chapel Doors - July 2019
The original decision to make a chair for the Remembrance Garden from the doors of the Chapel Vestry was prevented by a Trustee. The doors were returned by 'Men in Sheds' and are in safe keeping. A couple of ideas are being developed as to how they might be used - one is a square holder for a porcelain bowl - so watch this space!
A delineation hedge for the Consecrated Garden is under consideration by the Trust. We have had no definitive response to date.
The Maastricht Stone -July 2019
The Maastricht stone was removed in 2018 for refurbishment. When it returned it was decided to place the stone at the front of the Garden of Remembrance, where it gave the stone more prominence. ( See History for more details)
On Dutch Liberation Day, 5th May 2019, orange red tulips were put in vases at the corners.
The Amillary Sundial - July 2019
The sundial in memory of Wg Cdr Ian McCombie was damaged during building works. It has now been repaired and will be installed on its plinth soon
The sundial in memory of Wg Cdr Ian McCombie was damaged during building works. It has now been repaired and will be installed on its plinth soon
The Pergola - July 2019
The pergola was removed as being an unsafe structure in November 18, although the Remembrance Garden had been open on designated days to visitors, throughout the building works. Every effort was made to retain the structure by The Friends.
The pergola was removed as being an unsafe structure in November 18, although the Remembrance Garden had been open on designated days to visitors, throughout the building works. Every effort was made to retain the structure by The Friends.
