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St
Peter's Garden Created For You All |
It was on the 8th May 1941 that the Salvation
Army Citadel was bombed by the Luftwaffe. The Citadel was
totally destroyed and all records were also destroyed. This
devastating blow was felt by the whole community. The 115ft
Parish Church tower was no doubt the target, and the only
effect on the church was the results of another bomb landing
in the churchyard which demolished many of the grave stones.
The church remained unscathed.
After the war the Salvation Army Citadel was rebuilt and
recently had a complete refit. The Parish Church churchyard
was restored and all remaining headstones were taken down
and a beautiful town amenity area created which remains to
this day.
On 8th May 2010 I walked through the
Churchyard, now renamed St Peter’s Garden and the sight was
stunning. Almond and cherry blossom trees full out, as well
as a glorious magnolia tree. The 300 year old lime trees
were stunning and the smell of spring was overcoming. Barry,
our gardener from Fakenham Town Council, who cares for the
garden, has been working immensely hard and this is the best
spring we have had for years.
Churches in the town have changed, clergy and congregations
have come and gone, but the beauty of this area remains. The
sight of children walking through St Peter’s Garden and
throwing the pink and white petals around like confetti,
and in the autumn doing the same with leaves from oak and
lime trees is always very moving.
When I came to Fakenham I encouraged the Church Council to
make St Peters’ Garden a football and dog free area, and now
we have a place of quiet and peace where children run about
and families can sit have a picnic, the young couple do what
young couples do, the office worker can come out with lunch
and read a book, and students can lie on the grass and
revise.
The church building inside and out should be a place of
spiritual renewal, and I do believe that the 50,000 visitors
we get each year would agree.
Every day when I walk to Fakenham Parish Church to pray I
thank God that this beautiful 14th century church
and garden survived the last war. A church is not just a
place of worship, it is a place to step back from life and
recharge the batteries of life. The fact that we are open
365 days a years without any vandalism shows how the people
of Fakenham of all ages treasure their church and St Peter’s
Garden – and long may it continue.
Adrian Bell |
