We are absolutely delighted to have worked with Woodlands Farm (well to be fair they did all the hard work!) to create a living war memorial to our local men from WW1. It is particularly poignant to be sited on the Farm, as so may of the men who went to war worked on the agricultural lands which made up the majority of Welling at the time.
The Farm have set aside the orchard as a quiet area, and we have placed a memorial bench for visitors to sit.
The orchard was planted four years ago and contains varieties of apples that would have been around at the time of the war. They have now reached a maturity when we felt it the right time to officially open the orchard and we were delighted that the Mayor of Bexley, Councillor Lisa-Jane Moore and the Mayor of Royal Borough of Greenwich, David Gardner “cut the ribbon” together, as the Farm spans both boroughs. The orchard should continue to grow and flourish over time.
Children from Foster’s School came and learned how to press apples for juice, the old fashioned way! They also did a trail and went on a trailer ride pulled by Tommy the Tractor (named by children in a competition run by the Trust) round the 89 acres that the Farm covers. A chunk of countryside right in our midst! Many of the men on our memorial had gone to Foster’s School, so it was very appropriate for them to join us.
A real highlight was the arrival of five soldiers of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery on horseback along with their Sergeant-Major. Their dress uniform is based on the WW1 uniform, so it was also very moving.
If you visit the Farm, do seek out the Memorial Orchard and hope you will spare a grateful thought to those young men who gave their lives all those years ago.
We work at the Trust to remember the men from our area who died in the First World War, but also all wars, including the Second World War. This Memorial Orchard was funded by a community grant from the Trust (as was Tommy the Tractor). Each grant we make perpetuates the memory of those men – and women from other conflicts.
Our thanks to the Mayors of Bexley and Royal Borough of Greenwich, the amazingly engaging children from Foster’s School, the Kings Royal Horse Artillery, Ian James, photographer and last but by no means least, the wonderful staff, trustees and volunteers at Woodlands Farm, just a few of whom can see relaxing in the late summer sun.
