On Sunday 2nd June, we gathered together to formally open our new “Kehillah” (community) garden, which has been named after a much loved member.
Annemarie Seelig was a refugee from Nazi Germany who arrived in the UK aged 17. She spent much of her adult life helping to educate local school students by speaking to them about her experiences as part of the annual Holocaust Memorial Day projects.
The legacy she left KLS has enabled us to create the garden which was previously a little used concreted outdoor space. After being landscaped last Summer, a group of our members has spent the last few months creating raised beds and container displays with many further plans in store.
KLS member Fleur Standring, a good friend of Annemarie, gave a moving talk at the opening ceremony, speaking of her mischievous nature, her joie de vivre and her determination not to let her experiences as a child define the rest of her life. “She loved gardens and plants which makes this garden such a beautiful way to honor her memory” said Fleur.
The full name of the garden is “The Kehillah Garden in memory of Annemarie Seelig”
The community has already held Kiddush in the garden and is planning many more events – social and religious – over the coming months.
