Updated: Oct 14, 2023
In glorious sunshine over 152 Formosa residents gathered to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. The central tables were filled to capacity, with late registrants bringing their own tables and picnics to join in the fun. Everyone brought dishes to share – with a frequent appearance of Coronation Chicken and the controversial quiche/tart and Jubilee trifle much in evidence. Irina Miklavchich and Cheryl Prax organised games for the younger guests with crown-decorating, bubble-blowing, biscuit-decorating and space hopper races.
In keeping with the occasion Formosa took the opportunity to have a formal dedication ceremony for the oak sapling which was originally envisioned to be part of the Queen's Green Canopy, launched during the Jubilee, but as events evolved dedicated to her memory. A brass plaque was planted at the foot of the tree by the actor, TV presenter and garden resident Sir Tony Robinson, who spoke warmly of his meetings with the Queen and asked the audience to give thanks for her many years of service to us all. The tree can be seen in the centre of the garden not far from the Med bed.
The organisers would like to thank Sir Tony for taking part and a big thanks above all to everyone who participated in both the setting up of the lunch and the clearing up afterwards and for the wonderful food and good company. It created a special national day for all.
Good news - -tickets for Shakespeare in the Squares' production of Twelfth Night in the Crescent Garden on Tuesday July 4th are now on sale! And as we've come to expect from this innovative company it will be a performance with a difference, set in the 1920s.
Their version last year of The Tempest was a well-deserved sell-out so it's best not to delay. The tickets are £30.50 for adults & £15.76 for children aged 12 & under & can be obtained by going to Shakespeare in the Squares or Eventbrite.
The performance will begin promptly at 7pm and will be over by approximately 9.30pm. The Garden will be open for picnics from 5.30pm & check here nearer the time for details of bar & catering facilities on site.
Updated: Apr 19, 2023
Many Formosa residents will no doubt remember retired Flight Sergeant Peter Brown, who lived on the Garden in Warrington Crescent for many years & was a familiar figure at his local paper shop, Dhigs -- always smartly dressed & up for a chat with passers-by. He was humble about his role in the Second World War but in fact was one of the last black "Pilots of the Caribbean", volunteering to come over from Jamaica aged 17 in 1943 & going on to fly five operations in Lancaster bombers.
Sadly Peter died last December aged 96 leaving no known family, but a campaign fronted by the RAF, Westminster Council & history enthusiasts to encourage people to turn up to his funeral went viral to the extent that organisers ditched plans to hold it at Mortlake Crematorium on March 29th, for fear that the number of people attending would far exceed the chapel's capacity. Now the funeral has been re-arranged for May 25th at the 1,000-year-old St Clement Danes church in the Strand, with 600 seats reserved for the public. Priority will be given to those with a connection to him, among whom are sure to be many Formosa Garden residents wanting to give this modest man the send-off he deserves.
