Eastbourne Peace Garden is handed over to Friends

The Eastbourne Civilian War Memorial Trust was given permission by the borough council to established the memorial in the moat of the Wish Tower, and to rejuvenate the surrounding garden.

Nearly £70,000 was raised by public donations and two years ago the memorial - a brass plaque listing the bombing victims, mounted on a granite stone - was ceremonially unveiled.

Since then the finishing touches have been put to the surrounding Peace Garden which now boasts a display of colourful plants.

And amid the planting is a steel obelisk in memory of the late Peter Pyemont, one of the trustees, who came up with the idea of a tranquil Peace Garden.

John Boyle, chairman of the trust, said, “With the support of the people of Eastbourne, and beyond, we have been able to achieve what we set out to do - provide the town with a fitting memorial to those who died in the terrible bombing raids.”

The Friends of Meads Parks and Gardens, which help maintain Helen Gardens and All Saints Gardens, have stepped forward to offer the council their support at the Peace Garden, and the War Memorial Trust has assigned its modest surplus funds to the Friends for that purpose.

Members of the Friends, and those who worked on the memorial and Peace Garden, met at the site to mark the changeover.

Friends chairman Terrie Rintoul said, “I know that I speak for the Friends’ membership when I say how much we admire what has been achieved here.

“It is a fine example of what can be done despite many, often seemingly insurmountable, obstacles.

“The story of the making of the memorial and this garden is a truly inspirational one.”

Originally, the Sun Lounge at the former Wish Tower restaurant was the memorial to the people who lost their lives in the Second World War. It was, however, demolished by Eastbourne council after falling into a state of disrepair.

A temporary eatery, The Western View, was put in its place ahead of Bistro Pierre opening a restaurant.