Like many other people already, you'll find lots in the story of the Field & Park to smile at - and surprise.  Though only a few metres wide and deep, the Park is bighearted and unusual in being a public celebration of kindness and humanity.

What started as chance find while metal-detecting has become somewhere that shares mettle in many forms. In long-cultivated countryside to the west of London and close to Windsor, Legoland, Ascot, and Bracknell, the Park is a very different sort place for anyone to pop in. The Park is at the edge of the big Field - and the Fence has become the home of a big array of plaques in tribute to Uplifters. Uniquely, there are outposts in some unexpected places including family homes, offices, embassies, museums, and churches - in the UK, across the USA, in Germany and elsewhere.

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The Field and Park started with my finding a handful of metal relics from USAAF B17F #3351Z of the Mighty Eighth Air Rorce seventy years after it tumbled into the tiny RAF Winkfield and ended up ablaze in our Tally Ho field at 6.24pm on Thursday 14th October.  Z had been taking part in a very historic event in the liberation of Europe - the Mighty Eight's Mission 115, second of over twenty raids on the city of Schweinfurt. It was a brutal and memorable day's battle that saw courage on both sides, military and civilian, in the air and on the ground. It was said that the story of Z was a remarkable saga - and didn't drop its bombs. Our crew had a happy landing, and most eventually went home to long lives in the USA. The burnt-out wreckage of Z was removed, and the field left in peace until my metal detector began to bong at 10.24am on Sunday 20 October 2013!
 
Intrigued, I researched the families and communities involved then and now.  What came to light was many stories of kindness, common humanity and generosity of spirit.  So it seemed appropriate to make something in tribute not just to them but to all the world's hidden heroes after conflict of any sort - who pick up the pieces and help life and hope return. 

The Thomas family at Tally Ho kindly suggested fencing off a little space behind the barn, and I arranged seats and some fun things to get people thinking. The family been remarkably encouraging, and I've tried to make sure that the Field & Park don't impact on what is after all a very busy and successful equine business. The Park itself is low-maintenance - and incidentally has no funding, committee, constitution or mission statement.

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It's now probably the smallest park in Berkshire - and the UK - but has links in spirit with nearby Lily Hill Park, Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Park, the American German Air Memorial Garden and churches in Schweinfurt, and Ramsey County Historical Association.

More recently, the Park has encouraged the acclamation of Uplifters: people who for whatever reason are seen by individuals, families or groups today as inspiring, encouraging, or good to be around.  It includes those Uplifters after conflict. But you’ll find they include quite a merry and diverse cast!  And anyone is welcome to add their own examples, such as family members.

Happy landings!  And oh - be kind to your web-footed friends...

Hugh Gibbons