Roses Planted at the American Community School.

by Ken Pearce

On a warm evening in May many of our members visited the school in Vine Lane as part of our outings programme. It happened to be the 25th anniversary of the school's arrival in Hillingdon, and we were warmly welcomed. After a talk by our chairman, which of course included reference to the ownership of the property by Lord and Lady Hillingdon, we were able to tour the buildings and gardens. Everything was in immaculate order.

Whilst there, however, we discovered that there were no "Lady Hillingdon" roses in the grounds (this was the rose developed by Edwin Alford at the local Lowe and Shawyer nurseries in 1909). The committee therefore decided to purchase two bushes of the climbing variety, and to present them to the school in appreciation of their hospitality.

On December 1st some of the committee went to the school, and the bushes were formally presented to the headteacher, Mrs Apple, and a planting ceremony took place. We now learn that the school is having a plaque made to commemorate the event, and this will be fixed to the wall near the bushes.

We also learned that the school now has a photograph of "Hillingdon Court", the express steam locomotive built by the Great Western Railway in 1913.

Members of the Committee

Members of the Committee with Mrs G Apple (Headteacher),
Mrs S Ryan (Administrator) and John Bell (Head Gardener) at the planting ceremony

Read more about the"Lady Hillingdon" rose and "Hillingdon Court"steam locomotive mentioned above by using these links.


Since 2005 when our donated Lady Hillingdon Roses were planted, they have put down their roots, grown well and flowered beautifully.
This can be seen in the pictures below.


Lady Hillingdon Roses at the American Community School, Vine Lane, HillingdonwwwLady Hillingdon Roses at the American Community School, Vine Lane, Hillingdon

Lady Hillingdon Rose at the American Community School, Vine Lane, Hillingdon


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