Garden Project supported by CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Two pledges at our recent Gala Dinner to raise funds for the Commonwealth and Gurkha Garden project were generously donated by Charlton Athletic Football Club (CAFC) - hospitality at the Valley on a match day with lunch and then seats in the Directors' Box for the Addicks' game. Bids for both opportunities were successfully secured and we are most grateful to the Directors for making this possible. We wish Charlton success - toward a play off? - and look forward to continuing interest in our Garden project from the Club and football fans.
We are hoping to include in the Garden material highlighting the first black footballer to be chosen to play for England - Jack Leslie who was from the East End and retired in Gravesend - whose father had sailed from Jamaica. This was in 1925 and it is a story to be told of his fantastic performances as a forward, his selection then we believe shameful deselection for England, his retirement and connections with Barking Town, Plymouth Argyle and West Ham F.C. There is a Jack Leslie Campaign which may interest readers.
So there is synergy between the Beautiful Game and our beautiful Garden!
2 Photos below published with the kind permission of CAFC. Click on the photos to see them in full.
