Runnymede take 2 - 23 August 2015

Back to Runnymede on a much cooler Sunday.

As I mentioned in my previous post it is the site of the signing of the Magna Carta by King John which took place in 1215 - 800 years ago! Hard to imagine a such a concept being developed such a very long time ago in a time of serfs and royalty. Time to brush up on my history I think.

Besides The Jurors which I saw in my last visit, there are three other memorials in the vicinity which commemorate democracy - the Magna Carta Memorial designed by Sir Edward Maufe and erected in 1957.

 

I'm surprised at the age of this memorial - it has such clean, unfussy, modern lines.

 

Just a little bit further on is the Kennedy Memorial. After the assassination of JF Kennedy, in 1965 an acre of ground was given by Queen Elizabeth II to the Citizens of the USA in commemoration of his life. A stone path winds up a hill towards a grove of trees with a 7 ton block of Portland stone on a plinth inscribed with words from his inaugural speech.

 

 

It's a very peaceful, contemplative place.

 

Then a stroll up through the woods to the top of the hill brings you to the Air Forces Memorial which commemorates the men and women from all over the Commonwealth who died during the Second World War - some 20 000 who have no known graves. Their names are engraved on the walls.

 





 

Perhaps because there weren't many people around, it's also a calm soothing place with wonderful light even on an overcast day. It's obviously a place which is still visited by many with flowers and poems and photographs. Rosemary for remembrance.

 

 

 

 

 

From the rooftop there are views over the Thames.

And another spiral staircase - I seem to be collecting them.



There's lots more to see here and experience around Runnymede - this is just history lite. I hope you all enjoy hanging out with me in these places.