Event marks 25th anniversary of Regimental Garden

18th June 2026 – Tags: Uniformed Services

Representatives from The Royal Norfolk and Royal Anglian Regiment Association, Norfolk Army Cadet Force, and invited guests, have marked the 25^th anniversary of the Regimental Garden at Easton College.

The memorial garden at the college was borne out of a proposal by The Royal Norfolk and Royal Anglian Regiment Association in 1999. The garden was subsequently designed by Beverley Vine, one of the college’s horticultural students, and was officially opened on 2^nd June 2021.

Miss Vine’s design incorporated Regimental colours, featuring foliage and trees from parts of the world where the Regiment had seen active service. The entrance gateway incorporates the Britannia and Castle regimental badge, the insignia of The Royal Anglian Regiment.

The garden continues to be used as a space to honour those who have laid down their lives in the service of their country and is regularly used for services and quiet contemplation.

Easton College continues to maintains strong links with the Royal Anglian Regiment through its highly regarded Uniformed Services courses, which prepare students for careers in the armed forces and emergency services.

Jerry White, Principal of City College Norwich, Easton College and Paston College, said:

Our links to the armed forces community, through our Uniformed Services courses and more broadly, are highly valued. We’re proud of these enduring ties and to have maintained the Regimental Garden as a focal point for remembrance on our Easton campus over the past 25 years.”

The 25^th anniversary event at Easton College was opened by Duncan Gregory, County Colonel for Norfolk.  A service was led by LLM Mrs Pauline Simpson BEM, who rededicated the regimental garden, with the High Sheriff of Norfolk, Mr Jo Pearson DL, ceremonially reopening the garden.

As part of the service, a plaque was dedicated in memory of Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.