Plaque: St Dunstan's Garden
Erection date: /10/1971
{To the right of an incised shield:}
"The shrubs and plants in this ...
of the Garden are provided by .....
Worshipful Company of Gardeners
of London whose origins with the
City of London date from before 1345.
... October 1971"
It's not possible to read all the text but the 1345 date confirms that our (not very difficult) guess is probably correct - that the Gardeners is the City Company that looks after this garden. Though it doesn't seem very clever for them to allow the plants, which are under their control, to obscure the plaque that boasts of their efforts.
Site: St Dunstan's in the East (3 memorials)
EC3, St Dunstan's Hill, St Dunstan's in the East Garden
These three plaques are on the south side of the south wall of the ruined church. Our photo shows all three plaques, left to right: fig tree; Gyle-Thomson; garden.
Built c. 1100 this church was severely damaged in the 1666 Great Fire. It was patched up and a Wren-designed tower and steeple was added. 1817-21 the church was rebuilt, retaining the Wren tower and steeple. The church was very badly damaged in the 1941 Blitz, though the tower and steeple survived. It was decided not to rebuild, but to turn the site into a garden amongst the ruins. The public garden opened in 1971 and is, 2020, a truly delightful place to each your sandwiches, or shot your fashion photos as happened on one of our visits.
