KENNINGTON GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE AND MEMORIAL SHELTER
Restoration Project 2008-2011 Updated 2013
Kennington Community Forum
Map of Kennington, from Inclosure map 1861. The Garden of Remembrance is shown as Lot 1 2
Map of Kennington, 1872 (from OS 1:2500) 3
An article from the Kennington Parish Magazine, November 1920, referring to the land that became the Garden of Remembrance. The charity of the Lake Trustees, which also owned the alms houses in Ulley Road, eventually became part of the Kennington Parochial Charity 4
Initial proposals for the Kennington Memorial and Thanksgiving scheme, prior to a public meeting at Kennington WI on 11th June 1946 5
Proposals included a Community Centre on the Recreation Ground, homes for ex-Servicemen, and a “Garden of Gratitude�. Scheme B for a new sports ground was the most popular. 6
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Letter dated Jan 25 1950 from Mr Walter Howard, Chairman of the Kennington Memorial Committee, advising the Ashford Urban District Council of a change to the plan. The proposal to place a “Covered Seat” behind the First World War Memorial is replaced by a proposal for “perhaps 2 covered seats” in the current location 8
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Final plans submitted for planning consent. Designed by R V Pearce of Ashford 10
Final plans submitted for planning consent. Designed by R V Pearce of Ashford — outline of Garden of Remembrance
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Letter from timber merchants Frank Davis & Co who felled and cut the oak for the Memorial Shelter frame 12
Letter from Capt W F Howard to Ashford Urban District Council, 5th May 1951, confirming completion and “formally handing over the future care and maintenance of the Memorial�
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Letter from Ashford Urban District Council of 7th May 1951 confirming they would “arrange for the maintenance of the Kennington War Memorial�
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The Memorial Shelter nearing completion, 13th October 1950. 15
Dedication of the Garden of Remembrance, Remembrance Sunday 1950. Mr Howard reading the names of those commemorated. 16
Dedication of the Garden of Remembrance, Remembrance Sunday 1950. Lt-Col J Ellison Macartney of the Queen Victoria Rifles untying a yellow ribbon at the entrance to the Garden. 17
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Dedication of the Garden of Remembrance, Remembrance Sunday 1950.
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The people of Kennington who lost their lives in the Second World War
Following completion of Phase 1 restoration November 2010
The 40tonne earth bank at Ulley Road arriving March 2011
Work is required to improve drainage and pathways 20
Balluster rails in place
The bench seat prior to fitting
Restoration Completed February 2012
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Outline plan for landscaping, and some initial planting ideas 22
Research Documents incorporated in this collection have been researched and contributed by many people including: Robin Britcher Rosemary Plommer Sheila Orgar Chris Morley And from sources including Kent County Archives Ashford Library Ashford Borough Council Kentish Express Landmark Information Group Limited Queen Victoria’s Rifles Regimental Association
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Funding Kennington Community Forum is grateful to the many individuals and organisations who have contributed to the cost of this restoration, including: English Heritage War Memorials Trust Kent County Council Ashford Borough Council Premier Foods Ltd Coty UK Ltd IBM On Demand Community Waitrose Community Matters Members of Kennington Community Forum’s Core Group And the many individuals who contributed through the “Sponsor A Shingle” scheme and personal gifts.
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Planning application WE/4/50/18, 8th February 1950, for the new location, “Green corner opposite Schools in Upper Vicarage Road”. The description states “To convert and develop existing open ground into Garden of remembrance with possibly 2 covered seats. When finished the AUDC to maintain.” 26
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Final planning application WE/4/50/18A, 13th June 1950 with designs for the seat and layout of the garden attached. The applicant’s interest in the land is shown as “Prospective Tenancy” 28
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Kennington Home Guard 1940
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Members of Kennington WI planting roses to mark their Golden Jubilee in 1965
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“Remember When?� article from Kentish Express 25th October 2007 and interview with Mrs Rosemary Plommer whose father chaired the Kennington Memorial Committee