Recently at Wimbush House, the new Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Brian Salinger and his wife Kate, the Mayoress, unveiled a new blue plaque which now lies at the centre of its tranquil and beautiful community gardens.
The new blue plaque is dedicated to Ela Klein, former resident at Wimbush House and prolific gardening club member, who passed away last year.
The gardens there carry on being maintained by the Wimbush Court Gardening Club who wanted to make sure Ela’s memory (and passion for gardening and community involvement) was kept alive.
Three gardening club members Larry Hemington, Tony Gowers and Donald Crickmay (Donald is pictured above with the Mayor of Barnet), decided to honour their fellow resident by holding a special memorial ceremony to celebrate Ela’s blue plaque.
The family of Ela were in attendance, as well as the Chief Executive of The Barnet Group Troy Henshall and The Leader of Barnet Council, Richard Cornelius. Ela’s family spent some time at the Sheltered Housing Scheme, talking to those who knew her and viewing the photographs of Ela in the communal lounge.
The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Brian Salinger, said: “It was really touching to see how the residents of Wimbush, including members of the gardening club, have arranged this fitting tribute in memory of their friend and former resident.”
Barnet Group Chief Executive Troy Henshall said: “Ela was an amazing individual whose contribution to our gardening clubs was exceptional. You can tell from the effort her fellow gardeners have made how much Ela meant to all those who knew her and it was special that her family and friends could celebrate her life in this way.”