Garden of Sanctuary honours Richmond’s refugee heritage

Admin

June 24, 2025
3 min read

Garden of Sanctuary honours Richmond’s refugee heritage

A commemorative York stone has been installed at Warren Gardens in Twickenham, officially marking the green space as the Borough’s first Garden of Sanctuary. The engraved stone, which reads ‘Garden of Sanctuary – Here You Will Find Welcome’, was unveiled during a special event on Friday by members of Richmond’s sanctuary-seeking community alongside Deputy Mayor Cllr Clare Vollum, Sanctuary Champion Cllr Fiona Sacks, and local community leaders.

The unveiling coincided with World Refugee Day, during Refugee Week, and marked one year since Richmond upon Thames became a nationally accredited Borough of Sanctuary, recognised for its commitment to supporting those seeking sanctuary.

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Speaking at the event, Deputy Mayor Vollum, said: “We are proud to be a Borough of Sanctuary. It is wonderful to have a green space dedicated to acknowledging sanctuary seekers and reflecting the values that define our borough – kindness, fairness, and welcome.”

Richmond has a long and proud history of providing refuge, from welcoming Huguenot settlers in the 17th century to Belgian refugees during the First World War, and more recent arrivals from Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Hong Kong, and Ukraine.

Warren Gardens is already home to a memorial commemorating Belgian refugees. As part of its designation as a Garden of Sanctuary, the pathway in the area has been improved and is scheduled for new planting. An information board is also planned, highlighting the borough’s sanctuary history and status.

The unveiling was attended by local councillors, members of the Richmond Sanctuary Board, representatives from East Twickenham Village Group and refugee and community organisations.

It was one of more than nine events held across Richmond for Refugee Week celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Activities included dance performances, storytelling events, workshops, and cultural celebrations.

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

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