In addition to the 2009 events showcased on this page, below, review our events of previous years by clicking on respective year banners, or go directly to highlights of each year:
NEW YORK CITY NAMING OF THE BRITISH GARDEN AT HANOVER SQUARE BY HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES
On May 29, 2009, founders, directors, supporters and friends gathered for the Official Naming of the British Garden at Hanover Square by City of New York Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and planting of an Magnolia Elizabeth - on behalf of the British Memorial Garden Trust - by HRH Prince Henry of Wales, as part of the NY One Million Tree project.
HRH Prince Henry of Wales is escorted by Camilla Hellman, MBE, President of the British Memorial Garden Trust to a reception at India House Club following the naming of the British Garden at Hanover Square
New York Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe officially names the British Garden at Hanover Square and presents
HRH Prince Henry of Wales with a plaque to commemorate the occasion
Commissioners Brian Anderson, William T. Castro and Adrian Benepe meet HRH Prince Henry of Wales
Gresham Lang, HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Camilla Hellman
HRH Prince Henry of Wales plants a Magnolia Elizabeth on behalf of the Trust
HRH Prince Henry of Wales, accompanied by Sir Alan Collins, KCVO, CMG, meets Mr. Arthur Rawl, MBE and Mrs. Rawl
Tom Kennedy, Gilles de Marambeau, Alex Clarke and Gresham Lang
Commissioner Benepe spoke the following words in the garden prior to the private reception at India House:
"On behalf of Mayor Bloomberg, First Deputy Mayor Patti Harris, and thousands of Parks employees who keep the parks clean and green, welcome to Hanover Square.
Hanover Square is one of New York City's oldest public spaces, dating back to the mid-17th century when Pearl Street was the hub of the city's commerce and culture.
This site was first adopted in 2002 by the British Memorial Garden Trust, a non-profit formed to support renovations to Hanover Square.
I am happy to be here today to announce the official naming of the British Memorial Garden.
From Greenwich Village to Chelsea, there is evidence all over the city of the rich history shared between the United States and the United Kingdom. This garden, built in classic British style, celebrates that history.
The garden also honors the 67 British victims of the World Trade Center attacks.
Beautiful gardens are one of Britain's greatest cultural exports and we are grateful that the British Memorial Garden Trust is dedicated to creating this oasis in Hanover Square.
I would also like to thank Leni Liftin from the Commission for U.N., Consular Corps. & Protocol for their partnership on international issues.
In addition to naming this garden today, we will also be planting an Elizabeth Magnolia tree.
This tree will be counted as a part of MillionTreesNYC – a sustainability initiative included in Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC, with the ambitious goal to plant and care for one million new trees throughout the city by the year 2017.
Since the initiative was launched in October 2007, more than 223,000 trees have been planted throughout the five boroughs.
In the Parks Department we like to say that these trees are ‘one in a million’.
By planting one million trees, New York City can increase its urban forest by an astounding 20%, while achieving the many quality-of-life benefits that come with planting trees.
I would like to thank everyone for joining us today to celebrate this wonderful garden.
As a token of our friendship and Parks’ appreciation for his support of this project, I would like to present his Royal Highness Prince Henry with this Parks sign."
In a short speech, HRH Prince Henry said it was "a great privilege" to be at the naming ceremony.
He added: "My family are so proud to be so closely associated with (the garden) and its purpose in honouring the memory of the 67 British people that died here on September 11th 2001."
A private reception followed at India House Club.
HM Consul General Sir Alan Collins and Lady Collins, Camilla Hellman and HRH Prince Henry of Wales
Richard Kaplan and Hon. Edwina Sandys, MBE
Jennifer and Rodney Johnson, MBE
HRH Prince Henry of Wales speaks with (left to right)
William Miller, OBE, Bill Rudin, Richard Kaplan and Hon. Edwina Sandys, MBE
HRH Prince Henry of Wales speaks with Lady Weatherstone
Martin Sullivan, OBE, and Antoinette Sullivan, William Miller, HRH Prince Henry of Wales and
Camilla Hellman
HRH Prince Henry of Wales meets John Nixon, CEO ICAP, 2009 Philanthrophy Honoree
HRH Prince Henry of Wales, Isabel Carden, A.Wright Post Palmer, Nicholas Howard
Diana Collins, Camilla Hellman and HRH Prince Henry of Wales
Vicky Downey is presented to HRH Prince Henry of Wales
HRH Prince Henry of Wales meets James and Ellie Libby
HRH Prince Henry of Wales, Luke Parker Bowles and Nicholas Howard
Tracey Larkey and her sons Nicholas, Oliver, and William
meet HRH Prince Henry of Wales
Shamir Parmar, HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Bharti Parmar
Bruce Colley, HRH Prince Henry of Wales, Jonathan Wimpenny and Richard Sexton
Gresham Lang and family meet HRH Prince Henry of Wales
HRH Prince Henry of Wales speaks with Doran Mullen
Bruce Colley and HRH Prince Henry of Wales
April 7, 2009
ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY BOLLARD INSTALLED IN THE GARDEN
On April 7th The St. Columba School Band, comprising forty five young persons, joined members of the St. Andrew's Society board as they inspected the installation of their Society's bollard into the park.
The Bollard is the first of fourteen being currently installed in the Park along its perimeter, which bear the shields of the leading Anglo-American societies and government agencies.
April 3, 2009
SCOTLAND IN THE GARDEN, SCOTLAND ON STONE STREET
The Celtic theme of spring 2009 continued into April as the park became alive with Scottish pipe music during ‘Tartan Week’, featuring the fourth annual ‘Scotland in the Garden’ community concert. Following a welcoming speech by Mr. Alex Fergusson, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, supporters gathered to enjoy contemporary Scottish music from the innovative MacTalla Mor, lively Scocha and solo singer Roddy Hart.
The second annual ‘Scotland on Stone Street’ festivities followed the ‘Scotland in the Garden’ concert. The charming cobblestone alley was adorned with Scottish flags and pennants as bagpipers entertained the crowds gathered to celebrate Tartan Week. The evening continued with promotions and leading New York DJ’s playing modern Scottish music at two of the area’s most popular destinations, Beckett's Bar and Ulysses'.
March, 2009
LONGEST WELSH PLACE NAME IN THE BRITISH MEMORIAL GARDEN
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllandysiliogogogoch may seem like a random collection of letters but it is in fact a tiny place on the island of Anglesey in Wales. It is thought to be the longest place name in the world. A replica of the sign that stands in the village train station is now on display at the British Memorial Garden in Hanover Square until the end of March, 2009, thanks to the Welsh Assembly Government in New York.
See Gwenfair Vaughan Jones speaking with the public about this sign during Wales Week 2009, above. Or view this clip at YouTube or Current.com
February 25, 2009
"TWILIGHT IN THE GARDEN"
Guastavino's, 59th Street
The British Memorial Garden Trust held its sixth annual gala fundraiser, “Twilight in the Garden,” at Guastavino’s in New York on February 25, 2009, drawing more than 500 guests in support of the park and garden in Lower Manhattan’s Hanover Square.
One of the leading events of the Anglo-American calendar in New York, honoring the 67 victims of September 11 and fostering programs that highlight ties with the United Kingdom, the evening featured cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent auction.
The benefit was once again chaired by Isabel Carden and Martin Sullivan, OBE.
Sir Alan Collins, KCVO, CMG, Her Majesty's Consul-General in New York and City of New York Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe offered toasts to the President of the United States and to Her Majesty the Queen.
The evening saw the presentation of awards for outstanding contributions to Transatlantic Relations: awarded to Daniel S. Glaser, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Marsh, Inc. and George W. von Mallinckrodt, KBE, President, Schroders plc.
This year, two new awards were introduced. Firstly, for Heroism: awarded to the family of Frank McGarahan, former COO, Barclays Wealth, who lost his life from injuries sustained when he selflessly went to the aid of victims of street crime in September 2008. Secondly, for Philanthropy: awarded to ICAP and accepted by John Nixon, Chief Executive Officer, ICAP Electronic Broking, in recognition of the company’s innovation through their Charity Day that has benefited numerous organizations.
Guests enjoyed an exciting silent auction offering a broad selection of travel and sports experiences. These ranged from a week's golf in Wales to exclusive sailing and island holidays in the Caribbean; from a trip aboard the British Pullman train, or a day touring the Houses of Parliament, to shooting, beagling, polo, whisky tasting and a variety of other enticing activities.
During the evening, British Memorial Garden Trust President & CEO Camilla G. Hellman, MBE, spoke of the wonderful support shown by all those who have helped and continue to help to bring the project to the final stage of its creation. She outlined how the focus must now move to the long term care of the park.
Fortnum & Mason and Absolut hosted the "After Dark" segment of the evening following the dinner, when DJ Brit Rich took the evening forward and filled the dance floor.
Nespresso sponsored the attractive gift bag for departing guests.
Several community events are scheduled to take place in the garden during 2009, further enhancing the British Memorial Garden's significance as a meeting place for the Anglo-American community in New York and its relevance, also, as a quiet retreat in which to reflect and remember.
In addition to the pictures below, see many more in the events section of Manhattan Society and in the social pages of David Patrick Columbia's New York Social Diary.
A special thanks is due to British Memorial Garden Trust staff, Mountbattern interns and volunteers who worked hard on the night and beforehand to make the evening a success.
52 East 66th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA Telephone:(212) 861-1871 Fax: (212) 861-6529
