Former RAF Benevolent Fund Garden relocates to London Biggin Hill Airport

Following the successful Chelsea Flower Show reveal of the RAF Benevolent Fund’s first ever garden; London Biggin Hill Airport features the iconic garden permanently as ‘The Strongest Link Garden’, in memory of the site’s history.

On Friday 30 September, former RAF base London Biggin Hill Airport launched ‘The Strongest Link Garden’, previously known as the ‘RAF Benevolent Fund Garden’, which was initially revealed at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2022.

The special launch was attended by veterans and their families including former Mosquito Bomber Pilot Colin Bell, Bomber Command veterans John Bell and George Dunn; and Randolph Churchill. The event marked the reveal of the garden, providing a permanent tribute to the Battle of Britain veterans, stationed memorially at the victorious military base of the 1940 air battle.

Award winning designer John Everiss, whose father served during the Second World War, designed the garden to allow visitors to sit and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all the RAF and civilian personnel.

John said: “My father was an RAF navigator during WW2, so I have grown up hearing the amazing stories of veterans and their families. As a member of the RAF Family, the opportunity to be able to thank them is a privilege for me and my team.”

He added: “I am thrilled and honoured that ‘The Strongest Link Garden’ is permanently sited at London Biggin Hill. It's absolutely the perfect place for our pilot sculpture to be looking to the sky as the Spitfires take off in front of it.”

Also featured on the garden is a plaque recognising the RAF Benevolent Fund and the support it provides current and former members of the RAF.