Under the Rhododendrons

As the centrepiece of Blackheath's many parks is our lovely Memorial Park. After WWI a Rhododendron was planted for each of Blackheath's fallen. These now form a giant curving wall within the park - a masterstroke of restraint almost 100 years ago. These Rhododendrons are now so enormous that you can now walk with complete ease below them along a well defined path. A number of decades ago this path used to be lit and the gaslights remain, but not functioning.

This path forms an integral part of the primary schools cross country carnival where the children see the race start on one side and then rush through the twisted limbs to watch the runners come up the other side. I love the symbolism of this, the gentle solemnity of these giants, these men whose lives were cut short, filled with the bright laughter of children.