Freda Atkins Memorial Garden (1986)

Freda Atkins took over as Chairman in 1979 following the death of her husband, Ian. She served as Chairman until she died in 1985. Freda was well known as an actress and periodically may be seen on TV in her role as the office administrator in the 1965 film ‘The Ipcress File’ with Michael Caine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Freda Atkins

 

 

When she died The Society decided, in collaboration with RBC, to restore the sadly neglected remaining walls of the Chertsey Abbey buildings between Abbey Field and the Abbey site in Colonels Lane, Chertsey.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Restored walls

Mrs Beryl Newman, Vice Chairman, led a public appeal to raise the necessary funds to consolidate the walls, landscape the area and backfill the refectory ovens following their archaeological excavation. The Garden was opened by Sir Geoffrey Pattie, MP, and a memorial stone was unveiled. The Chairman, Malcolm Loveday addressed the assembled group in the rain, November 1986.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Sir Geoffrey Pattie, MP

   unveiling the memorial stone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The Memorial Stone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Chairman Malcolm Loveday

   addressing the guests