Heritage Garden remembers Tom Oliver by Ethel Anderson

On the 75th anniversary of the Windrush, family members of Tom Oliver unveiled a stone dedicated to his life at the Heritage plot that bears his name on the St Anns allotments where he gardened for many years.

His niece Ethel Anderson explains “It gives me great pleasure being here with family and friends to celebrate and unveil this work of art on this plot. A stone sculpture to acknowledge, my uncle Thomas George Oliver’s contribution to the development of this Heritage Site with his original hat perched on it. Today is also a chance to highlight contributions from other Caribbeans who have migrated to this country. History and heritage are very important we learn from our past to build the future.”

The allotment is a great place to visit. Beautiful scenery, lovely volunteers and more importantly it’s good for wellbeing. There is something magical about being outdoors. I happened to visit the allotment one day and met Heritage Plot manager Joe, we talked for a while and I pitched a few thoughts and ideas how this site could be improved and create learning spaces for children and visitors using the Artifacts that can be seen around the site. Joe was encouraged by this and ask if I would like to be a volunteer; I said yes.

Ethel adds, “Theres an old saying ‘Sow a thought you reap an act, Sow an act you reap a habit, Sow a habit you reap a Character, Sow a Character you reap a destiny’. Today this is it, as we unveil the stone sculpture dedicated to Tom Oliver, developed from a thought that came out of a project by Mrs Rachel Carter Standing In This Place, who inspires conversations that lead us here.”

“Thanks to Renewal Trust for allowing the Family to use the space to do this.” Mrs Ethel Anderson, Legacy Maker


Images curtsy of Ethel Anderson and the Oliver family