By Glenn Murphy, Chair, 2 May 2026
On a recent afternoon the British Museum fell unusually still. Closed to the public for a special reception, its grand halls provided a focused backdrop for a landmark moment in our local history: the unveiling of the final recommendations for the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial. I was honoured to represent The Thorney Island Society, joining a small group of guests including the Prime Minister and key project stakeholders to witness the future of our royal parkland take shape.
The centrepiece of the afternoon was the presentation of the designs for the new memorial statues and, crucially for our membership, the replacement for the Blue Bridge. The statues, which many of you will be eager to see, are being designed by the renowned sculptor Martin Jennings, whose ability to capture character and gravity is well known.
As the Society has long highlighted, the existing Blue Bridge has neared the end of its functional life. I am delighted to report that the proposed replacement is a stunning glass design, a vast improvement that manages to be both contemporary and ethereal. Significantly, the new design increases the bridge’s width to better accommodate the ever-growing footfall, ensuring that this vital artery of the park remains functional for decades to come while preserving the iconic views of the lake.
Our invitation to this reception was a direct result of the Society’s long-standing engagement as a key local stakeholder. Over years of consultation, we have worked positively to influence the outcomes of this project, ensuring that the voices of those who steward Westminster’s heritage were not just heard, but listened to.
A personal highlight was the opportunity to speak with His Majesty The King. I was able to outline the vital role our Society plays as a steward of this historic area. In my conversation with Her Majesty The Queen, we discussed the specific part the Society played in the consultation process. It was a proud moment to present Their Majesties with a formal letter on behalf of the Society, emphasising our continued dedication to the area, alongside our latest Newsletter. By happy coincidence, that issue highlighted our involvement in the very Memorial and Blue Bridge replacement under discussion. We look forward with great anticipation to a response from the Palace.
The event also allowed for a fascinating exchange with Michel Desvigne, the leading global landscape artist who will be working on St James’s Park. His passion for Nash’s original Regency garden design was striking; it is clear the park’s future is in hands that deeply respect its historical DNA.
Included with this article are photographs from the day, including my meetings with The King and Queen, as well as the detailed models of the statues and the park layout. These images represent the culmination of years of hard work by our Society. It was a day of profound appreciation for our collective efforts, and a reminder that our dedication to Thorney Island remains vital to the local and national narrative.
