Memorial dedicated to Octavia Hill co-founder of the National Trust
Monday, 22nd October 2012
A Service to dedicate a Memorial to Octavia Hill (1838-1912) and to give thanks for the work of the National Trust was held at Westminster Abbey today at 12 noon in the centenary year of the death of Octavia Hill, the leading social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust.
The service was attended by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Simon Jenkins, Chairman, National Trust, and Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director-General, National Trust, as well as members, supporters, staff and volunteers from the National Trust.
In his Bidding, the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:
We come to honour Octavia Hill and to give thanks to God for her life, for her energy, for her care: to recall her role in founding the National Trust and to celebrate the vigorous growth of the sapling she helped to plant; to unveil and dedicate a permanent memorial in stone to her life and work.
Simon Jenkins read an extract from Space for the People by Octavia Hill. Testimonies were read by Wyn Davies, Warden, Dinefwr, National Trust and Julia Bradbury, Broadcaster, walker and winner of the People’s Champion Octavia Hill Award 2012. Robert Macfarlane, writer, read Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth.
Simon Jenkins unveiled the Memorial Stone which has been laid in the Nave of Westminster Abbey.
Jessie Binns, Visitor Experience Officer, Borrowdale, National Trust read: Isaiah 61: 4-11 and James Grasby, Curator, National Trust read: Revelation 21: 9-14, 22-25, 22: 1-2.
The Address was given by Dame Fiona Reynolds.
