I was also present, as usher, and can confirm the description of the window.

Lord Marshall, Capt Bannister, other senior pilots (forgive no names to record here), and uniform cabin crew were present, together with relatives of those who perished.

The memorial garden is also in situ nearby, close to the crash site.

BBC TV may transmit details on London news tonight.

BBC London News carried an item about the memorial during the lunchtime news on Friday 18th.

BBC News

Service held to mark air disaster
 

From the 'Staines Guardian':

Service held to mark air disaster
By Louisa Biswas


A SPECIAL memorial garden has been opened, in Staines, to commemorate the Trident plane crash 32 years ago.

The quiet seating area and garden, in Moormead Recreation Park, was landscaped by staff from BAA Heathrow and Spelthorne Borough Council earlier this month.

The circular garden, which is close to where the incident took place, adjacent to Staines by-pass, was officially opened with a small church service by Rev Rod Cosh, priest of St Peter's and St Mary's Church, and Bishop Michael Colclough last Friday (June 18).

The garden has been designed to provide a peaceful area for reflection by friends and relatives, following an appeal from the community, to see a permanent record to remember the people who lost their lives.

At 11am, a memorial service was held by Rev Cosh and Bishop Colclough, at St Mary's Church, in Church Street, Staines, where a new stained glass window has been installed, to commemorate the tragedy, which was co-funded by Spelthorne Council, BAA Heathrow and British Airways.

The window was designed by Artemis Decorative Glass and depicts a dove, to represent peace, soaring over a landscape of trees.

The window is framed by stars, which are symbolic of the 118 souls of the victims.

All passengers and staff on board the British European Airways flight 548, from London Heathrow to Brussels, died when the plane crashed on June 18, 1972, just two-minutes after take-off.

Rev Cosh and Bishop Colclough then joined church leaders from west London to tour Spelthorne, in a special event to meet residents.

The event, which was organised by Churchlink, had commenced in the morning with a visit to Canaan Christian bookshop, in High Street, Staines, before visiting Staines Preparatory School, in Gresham Road, to take part in an assembly led by Christian organisation F.A.C.T. (Faith Awareness in Children Trust), which was hosted by Simon Shutt and Peter Shields.

The next part of the programme took the leaders to Staines Methodist Church, in Thames Street, to visit an art exhibition presenting the Christian Gospel on silk, by artist, Anne House.

The leaders then visited the West London Boiler Room, in Fairfield Avenue, Staines, which is run by the East to West Christian organisation, to help young people join together for 24-hour prayer, seven days a week.

Thereafter, the party moved onto the Salvation Army Hall, in Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, for lunch with residents, and to listen to a talk by Rev David Coffey, one of the presidents of Churches Together in England, and other leaders representing churches from all over the borough.

The day concluded with a visit to Ashford Hospital, in London Road, where the leaders met the chaplaincy team and spoke to dozens of patients.

Can I record my appreciation to the efforts of those who arranged for this long-overdue memorial to the souls aboard Bealine papa india.

Does anyone recall another Vanguard accident, namely G-APEE, which I believe went in while landing on R28R at LHR on a foggy night in 1965 on a flight from EDI? I only remember it because a schoolfriend was due to travel on the flight, but fortunately decided to cancel his reservation and travel by train instead.

This makes me sick
 

I'm ashamed to have to post this so soon after the other news story but some things never ***ing change:

Vandals target Trident plane crash tribute
By Louisa Biswas


HEARTLESS youths have vandalised a memorial garden, created in memory of the victims of the 1972 Trident plane crash, in Staines, less than a week after it was officially opened.

The new seated area and landscaped garden at Moormead Park, in Staines, was covered with racist and other abusive graffiti within a week of its dedication last Thursday (June 24).

A Staines resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, was appalled at such a callous and mindless action.

He said: "I went to visit the memorial garden this morning Friday and I was shocked to see the benches covered with graffiti, including racist comments.

"It looks like the vandalism took place yesterday Thursday, as the writing is marked with Thursday's date, but I am appalled that, within a week, this horrendous and thoughtless action has occurred.

"Whoever caused this damage should feel ashamed and should be punished for their actions."

On Friday, June 18, in a ceremony at the park, a group of residents, relatives and friends of those who died in the Trident air crash, met to commemorate the 118 people who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Spelthorne Borough Council, together with British Airways and BAA Heathrow, co-funded the memorial, which included a stained glass window, in St Mary's Church, Staines.

The memorials were a direct result of the community's wish to see a permanent record to those who died in the last aeroplane disaster to depart Heathrow.

However, within six days of its opening, the garden was vandalised and council workers were forced to repair and remove the graffiti on Friday afternoon.

Frank Davies, council leader, said: "I cannot believe that this mindless behaviour has taken place within a week of the dedication service.

"It is vital that we drive this sort of behaviour out of our community, and I would ask local residents to work with us and help us find those who are responsible for this disrespectful and pointless act of vandalism.

"We must make every effort to ensure it does not happen again."

His views were echoed by David Wilshire, Spelthorne's MP, who added: "This mindless vandalism will deeply hurt those who were involved with the disaster and appall all local people, except the sick few who caused this mindless damage to this brand-new memorial to 118 people.

"Yobbism and vandalism are the two issues that figure most at my surgeries, and in my post bag.

"Clearly, the policy cannot stand guard over every target site in Spelthorne.

"We need to look to schools and parents to teach respect for other people and other people's property."

I was unaware of the recent damage, but can confirm on a visit at 11am 2/7/04 it was it was, as commissioned. This venue was chosen, both as the best location, and least opportune for vanadalism.

As I was in the area a few days ago I decided to see if I could find the outdoor memorial - unfortunately I didn't have internet access to hand so I was unable to look at pprune for the details that would have been a considerable help. I spent about 2 hours trying to find the memorial without success! I asked about 10 people if they knew where the memorial was - all had heard about a memorial being unveiled nearby - but alas, none knew exactly where it was..Some thought it would be next to the reservoir, (on the wrong side of the A30) some thought next to the nearby power lines. Even a chap who claimed to be an eye-witness to the crash itself, didn't know where the memorial was. It's a pity that its location isn't signposted as I guess it would allow a lot more people to see it.
However , well done to all those involved in providing this long overdue memorial. Next time I'm in the area I will take an A-Z!

Perhaps it should be sign posted. I think it would be an excellent idea. Thoughts ?

Directions; Enter Staines Town from the Crooked Billet roundabout off the A30. Turn right at first traffic lights, then first right and first right again into Waters Drive. Near the end of this road, you will see a park ahead with a steel gate. Park here enter the park and 100 yds to the right is the memorial.

I am assured a signpost will follow is due course. St Marys Church is at the opposite end of the Town near the river Thames, and has the stained glass window. It can also be seen on the web site of Spelthorne Boro Council.

Thanks Trinity - I shall be off to see both memorials in the near future.

A very nice gent whom I used to deal with in the steel industry perished on board Papa India,

It is a very nice gesture for those rel's who are still around for this memorial to be placed nearby!

Vfr


Edited to read correctly, I am guilty of 1st post read, and not having time to read on, but yet I made a comment! apologys Trinty