17 Dec 2025
Posted at 09:45
in St Albans
A poignant ceremony has taken place to unveil a new heritage plaque in the tranquility of the Glossop Memorial Garden – near the Abbey Gatehouse in St Albans.
The plaque explains the dedication of the garden to Canon George Henry Pownall Glossop (1858-1925), a respected priest and civic figure who served the St Albans diocese for 40 years.
Designed by Sir Herbert Baker and paid for paid for by public subscription the Glossop Garden is a hidden treasure of peace and rest.
Described on the existing stone memorial as a “faithful priest,” Canon Glossop was said to have provided “wise counsel, unceasing labour and generous devotion” to both Church and community.
Remembered as a “firm friend, a genial host, a Christian gentleman,” his legacy is physically embodied in the garden itself.
The inscription reveals: “To surround this Abbey with beauty and peace was one of his chief desires,” and the garden was established in his memory to fulfil this wish.
The new plaque explains the benefits which this well-respected clergyman brought to St Albans and Hertfordshire.
It is thanks to him that we have the Abbey Orchard as a public open space next to the Cathedral.
As Chairman of the County Education department he brought primary schools to every parish in the county.
Having endured the loss of two sons in the Great War he had the inspiration to arrange the unique St Albans Street Memorials, so that every street in the Abbey Parish has a permanent memorial to local residents who gave their lives in that war.
He had acted as organising secretary for several of the great historical pageants which were put on in St Albans between 1907 and 1924.
He was so well respected that the County and the Cathedral joined forces in 1924 to present him with a motor car. He was so popular that this memorial garden was fully paid for by donations from the public to belong to people of St Albans.
Sadly over the years successive councils found ways to evade their responsibilities for looking after the garden. When it was derelict in 2010/11 a local group banded together
to raise funds to cover its restoration and organise its maintenance by a team of volunteers.
St Albans School supported that restoration and their staff have recently undertaken to take over the gardening from the ageing and diminishing band of volunteers.
A spokesperson for the plaque installation group said: “It is appropriate that this plaque is installed this year – 100 years since George Glossop’s death. It is also appropriate that the dedication is taking place in the Christmas period – traditionally the season of goodwill – because George Glossop was the personification of goodwill.
“The Glossop Memorial Garden, a serene enclave near the bustling city centre, stands as a living tribute to the goodwill represented by his life and values. The installation of
this plaque ensures that the story of his service, his family’s sacrifice, and his enduring vision for the city will be shared with residents and visitors for generations to come.
“It is wonderful that George Glossop’s descendants were represented at the event by the attendance of Frances Davies his great granddaughter.”
The installation of the new plaque in the Glossop Memorial Garden.
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