The Memorial from the top of a London bus April 2024
Another set of photos from the beautiful 80th Memorial Service on the 5th March 2023Remembering those who played a significant part in the Stairway to Heaven Trust. Len Goodman speaking with Derek Spicer at the Memorial Service 2017. May both of you rest in peace.
Looking back on the 80th Memorial Service 5th March 2023, a few more photos of that special day
Councillors at the memorial Councillors laying flowers on the Stairway to Heaven MemorialMembers of the Court family at the memorial service 5 March 2023Pearlie Queen Doreen in church The flag bearer leading the Bishop of Stepney to the Memorial for the blessingPearly Queen Doreen laying flowers on the MemorialDeputy Lord Lieutenant, Rushanara Ali MP, Alan Gree and councillorsCommittee Members and councillors walking from St John's Church to the Memorial to lay flowersStairway to Heaven Patrons, Harry Harris and Tommy Walsh walking towards the Memorial Survivor Alf Morris Firemen Guard of Honour at the gatesA procession of Pearly Kings and Queens leaving St John's Church Attendees waiting for the blessing at the memorial
Photos taken last Friday of the Memorial, such a colourful garden thanks to our wonderful gardeners Isobel and Len Passmore.
Photos from the 80th Anniversary Memorial Service 5th March 2023
Suvivor Court Survivor George
Official Unveiling 2017
The official unveiling ceremony 17th December 2017. Survivors helped to cut the ribbon and were joined by Dr. Joan Martin MBE (the doctor on duty on the night of the disaster ), local MP Rushanara Ali, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs, members of the Stairway to Heaven Memorial Trust committee (past and present), plus Patrons Tommy Walsh and Harry Harris, and TV's Len Goodman.
Cutting the ribbon to officially open the Memorial by survivors, including survivor/founder Alf Morris on the scooter, and the doctor on duty the night of the disaster at the Queen Elizabeth's Children Hospital. Dr. Joan Martin MBE, aged 100 (seen in blue jacket in the wheelchair).
The Memorial stands proud next to the entrance to Bethnal Green tube station where everyone died. Photo copyright Simon Diamond Photography.
Makeshift theatre set up in the shelter during the war. Photo: Bancroft Road library, Tower Hamlets Archives.
A library was set up in the tube shelter so that people could borrow books when they were sheltering from the raids in WW2. Photo: Bancroft Road library, Tower Hamlets Archives.
Some of the Mead family at a wedding. Seven members of their family died in the disaster.
Daffodils in the lawn area around the Memorial were planted by the East London Garden Society. They bloom in time for the anniversary of the disaster in March each year.
The Memorial in the spring. The top of the Memorial (the 'Stairway') represents the exact space in which 300-400 people were trapped. The sides represent the 19 steps on which everyone was crushed. The surnames of the victims are carved in large letters all the way round the 'stairway' and can be easily seen at the busy junction of Cambridge Heath Road and Roman Road, next to the station entrance where everyone died. On top of the roof are 173 conicals sponsored by many relatives and supporters to allow sunlight to shine through onto the paving below, representing the victims.
All photos copyright Stairway to Heaven Memorial Trust unless otherwise credited.
Local MP Rushanara Ali, Tommy Walsh Trustee and Harry Paticas, MBEDoris David née Hall (Survivor) Unveiling 2017
