Protect Biggin Hill St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance
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Protect Biggin Hill St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance
You may remember back in 2015 that the Memorial Chapel at Biggin hill was to close its doors, but an On-line petition saved the day and David Cameron pledged to save it in perpetuity.
Built by Winston Churchill in 1951, to commemorate the pilots that flew from Biggin Hill and associated airfields throughout World War 2 and won the Battle of Britain.
The London Borough of Bromley now own the Chapel and propose to demolish the Grade 2 Listed Vestry, which houses the Air Crew Association stained glass window, and clear all the trees and shrubs, which over the years have given the Chapel an air of tranquility. To replace this they intend to build a characterless 'box' which has been described politely as a 'Toilet block', less politely as making the Chapel look like a 'Concentration Camp'. This building is to be the long awaited Biggin Hill Museum (BHMM), despite the fact that in 2014 the Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Supporters Club was granted unopposed Planning Permission for their publicly preferred design.
The Council's design (BHMM) bears no relationship to the Grade 2 Listed Chapel and has no RAF or aviation influences. Whereas the Supporters Club design is hangar-style, perhaps inspired by Duxford, is bigger and would probably cost less. Most importantly it stands alone and would have no detrimental effects on the Chapel, which is seen by many as sacrosanct!
To fight the current plans I have started an On-Line petition which can be accessed by Googling: Protect Biggin Hill RAF Chapel. Or just click on the link below.
Please read the resolution to save the Vestry and persuade the Council to review its plans. Please sign and share, thank-you very much. Rita
The pictures are the Vestry to be demolished and its ACA window. The BHMM and the Supporters Club designs. Local paper frontpage.
http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petition...of-remembrance
Built by Winston Churchill in 1951, to commemorate the pilots that flew from Biggin Hill and associated airfields throughout World War 2 and won the Battle of Britain.
The London Borough of Bromley now own the Chapel and propose to demolish the Grade 2 Listed Vestry, which houses the Air Crew Association stained glass window, and clear all the trees and shrubs, which over the years have given the Chapel an air of tranquility. To replace this they intend to build a characterless 'box' which has been described politely as a 'Toilet block', less politely as making the Chapel look like a 'Concentration Camp'. This building is to be the long awaited Biggin Hill Museum (BHMM), despite the fact that in 2014 the Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Supporters Club was granted unopposed Planning Permission for their publicly preferred design.
The Council's design (BHMM) bears no relationship to the Grade 2 Listed Chapel and has no RAF or aviation influences. Whereas the Supporters Club design is hangar-style, perhaps inspired by Duxford, is bigger and would probably cost less. Most importantly it stands alone and would have no detrimental effects on the Chapel, which is seen by many as sacrosanct!
To fight the current plans I have started an On-Line petition which can be accessed by Googling: Protect Biggin Hill RAF Chapel. Or just click on the link below.
Please read the resolution to save the Vestry and persuade the Council to review its plans. Please sign and share, thank-you very much. Rita
The pictures are the Vestry to be demolished and its ACA window. The BHMM and the Supporters Club designs. Local paper frontpage.
http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petition...of-remembrance
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Protect Biggin Hill St George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance
Here is a recent press article with another view of the design for the Chapel/Heritage Centre favoured by Bromley Council:
https://t.co/mmpTjguwtv?amp=1
If you agree with the (almost) 9,000 people who have already signed, please add your signature to Doctor Rita's petition and, if you're local, why not turn up to Bromley Civic Centre this evening (25th July) at 18:30, to let the Council how you feel about this deeply unimpressive edifice, before it is too late.
https://t.co/mmpTjguwtv?amp=1
If you agree with the (almost) 9,000 people who have already signed, please add your signature to Doctor Rita's petition and, if you're local, why not turn up to Bromley Civic Centre this evening (25th July) at 18:30, to let the Council how you feel about this deeply unimpressive edifice, before it is too late.
All signed, even though I now live in East Anglian I grew up and lived at Biggin for over 30 Years, was even part of one of the earlier attempts at a museum. This is long overdue but not at the expense of the chapel.
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Latest feedback from "Rita" who started the petition
A big 'Thank you' to all of you who came to show support at the Council Meeting on 25th.
We understand there was a pre-meeting at which the attending Councillors were virtually 'whipped' into line to support the motion, so despite my three minute appeal, and courageous opposal from three Councillors, as expected the decision went against us.
Despite this we are committed to continuing the fight, and thanks to someone contacting the BBC, last Friday 28th we had a short spot on both BBC London and South East 6.30pm News, filmed at the Chapel. Since then the Petition figures have exceeded 9,000 and still rising, so please keep spreading the word, and use any contacts you may have and we could reach 10,000.
If you have a moment, please write to the national papers, as we have reached this point, moving towards 10,000, without a mention, which is remarkable in itself. With your help to get national coverage we will achieve a total that cannot be ignored!
Finally, I know that feelings surrounding this are running high, we are all passionate about the campaign, but please remember we need to maintain the dignity this matter demands.
Best wishes and thank you,
Rita
We understand there was a pre-meeting at which the attending Councillors were virtually 'whipped' into line to support the motion, so despite my three minute appeal, and courageous opposal from three Councillors, as expected the decision went against us.
Despite this we are committed to continuing the fight, and thanks to someone contacting the BBC, last Friday 28th we had a short spot on both BBC London and South East 6.30pm News, filmed at the Chapel. Since then the Petition figures have exceeded 9,000 and still rising, so please keep spreading the word, and use any contacts you may have and we could reach 10,000.
If you have a moment, please write to the national papers, as we have reached this point, moving towards 10,000, without a mention, which is remarkable in itself. With your help to get national coverage we will achieve a total that cannot be ignored!
Finally, I know that feelings surrounding this are running high, we are all passionate about the campaign, but please remember we need to maintain the dignity this matter demands.
Best wishes and thank you,
Rita
