We are delighted to share the news that the Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, Surrey is one of 20 post-war gardens and landscapes newly added to the Register of Parks and Gardens, part of the National Heritage List for England. Since 2017, the Gardens Trust has been working with Historic England evaluating post war gardens so that these sites achieve the recognition they deserve, their historical significance can be understood and the sites will be protected for the future. Please see the full article published by the Gardens Trust here.
Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede
The memorial garden was designed by Britain's best-known post-war landscape architect, Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, between 1964 and 1965. It was created for the British government and the Kennedy Memorial Trust as a memorial to President John F Kennedy, who was assassinated in November 1963. The design uses the existing landscape at Runnymede, which is associated with the signing of the Magna Carta and the development of democratic government. The site is now registered Grade II.
In addition, Jellicoe's watercourse at the former Cadbury factory in Moreton, Wirral has also been awarded Grade II status on the National Heritage list.
Both of these sites will be subjects for discussion at our Jellicoe Study Day next year with presentations by Annabel Downs and Ed Bennis, respectively. It is rewarding to know that their hardwork and that of other volunteer researchers and recorders has been recognised.