Unveiling of Plaque in Memory of Penny Smith – Saturday 22 August 2015

The sun was beaming down on the new Orchard at Grange Farm Chigwell on Saturday 22 August when family and friends of the late Penny Smith gathered to witness the unveiling of the memorial plaque by Penny’s daughter Katherine.

The Trustees of Grange Farm Centre decided to plant the Orchard and dedicated this to Penny who over the years had devoted so much time and energy to the affairs of the Trust. Her great love was for the Chigwell Meadows parkland and the creation of an orchard.

Penny was appointed to the Board of Trustees by Epping Forest District Council in July 2007 and she became Chairman in January 2012. Under Penny’s Chairmanship what had been a derelict site was transformed to provide an award winning pavilion and community hall with the associated wildlife meadows, Nature Reserve and sportsfield that exist today.

Penny believed that the Centre should be for local residents and all visitors to enjoy no matter their age, no matter their physical ability.

The newly planted Orchard can be found on Chigwell Meadows which is part of the Grange Farm Centre.