My thanks go to Paul Grist, Property Operations Manager at Sandham Memorial Chapel, for sharing this news with us.
In 1960 the Salonika Reunion Association donated two oak trees to the chapel to commemorate artist, Sir Stanley Spencer. The donation was commemorated by a plaque which, over time, has rather suffered the ravages of the English weather! To mark the centenary, Paul’s predecessor, Alison Paton, thought that it would be a fitting moment to undertake some restoration of the plaque and so, with advice from National Trust conservators, the plaque was removed and taken home by Alison for cleaning and restoration. Following this renovation, the newly restored plaque has been returned to the bench beneath the first oak tree. Photos below show the amazing transformation.
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 