Thursday 18 March 2010

SAVING THANET'S SECRET GARDEN

Community invited to discuss future of Margate's secret garden.

A public meeting will be held on Wednesday 24th of March, 6pm at Holy Trinity and St John's School, St John's Rd, Margate.

The aim of the meeting is to discuss the future of The Countess of Huntingdon's Zion Chapel Burial Ground, Addington Square, Margate.The community is invited to share ideas about how to make best use of one of Margate's hidden gems.

The graveyard and chapel were built to serve the congregation of the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion who was a very rich woman and keen follower of George Whitfield and the Wesley brothers.

It has remained hidden away and through neglect become a secret garden and haven for wildlife despite suffering from repeated acts of vandalism.
Some notable occupants of the burial ground are:

Thomas Gardner, Queen Victoria's body guard

The famous Cobb family memorial with Francis William Cobb:

Stephen Wells who laid claim to have constructed the shell grotto.

Louise Oldfield, Chair of The Margate Conservation Area Advisory Group said, "The garden is a magical place. I couldn't believe it when I stumbled across it.


It's really great there is revived interest in the garden through local and family history, bio-diversity and nature trails. I hope that people will come along and find out more and get involved.

"The meeting takes place at Holy Trinity and St John's School, St John's Rd, Margate, CT9 1LU, 6pm March 24th. Parking is available on site.There will be a brief storytelling session as introduction from The Tom Theatre in Cliftonville.

2 comments:

  1. Great location for photography too! I'll try to make it to the meeting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. No doubt a full report will appear on the 'Margate Architecture' blog soon, but this was very well attended & lots of positive ideas were put forward.

    ReplyDelete

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