Refurbishment of the Royal Engineers Summer House in
Rochester Cathedral Gardens
The refurbishment of the Royal Engineers Summer House in the gardens of
Rochester Cathedral was a true community effort bringing together various
organisations over a couple of years.
The groups involved included:
Veterans Outreach Support programme based in Portsmouth (VOS)
Kent Arts and Wellbeing (KAAW)
Local Medway Veterans from the Royal Engineers Association (REA)
Members of the Gurkha Regiments
The three Ghurkas were just completing their carpentry & joinery course at
1RSME Bromptons and did a tremendous job re-roofing the Summer House
with cedar shingles, something which they had not done before.
Three of the REA Veterans along with Tony Jeacock (Medway Branch Welfare
Officer REA), underwent an intensive course on designing and manufacturing
five stained glass panels under the careful guidance of local Gravesham artist
Mona Whitton. This experience not only provided them with a new crafting
skill but also fostered a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
The project also highlighted the importance of being outdoors in the garden,
promoting mental health and well-being through engagement with nature and
community activities. The Cathedral Gardens and Orchard, once part of the
old Priory of St Andrews, are envisioned to be used for projects that support
mental health, well-being, prayer, and spiritual growth, with hopes of more
public access in the future.
This collaborative effort and teamwork, underscores the value of community
support in enhancing the lives of Veterans in creating spaces that benefit
everyone. Huge thanks go to everyone involved.
Below is a timeline with pictures of the development of the Sun House.
In May of 2022, Adrian Bawtree from KAAW was made aware of the Summer
House on a visit to Rochester Cathedral with Dean Philip Hesketh and Head
Gardener, Graham Huckstep.
It had been a gift from the Royal Engineers to The Dean of Rochester in 1979.
In September of 2022, Adrian commenced his duties as Director of Music at
Rochester Cathedral and through the course of his first year, connected with
Nicola Moy, the Gardens Project Manager in Rochester Cathedral to see if
there was a way to collaborate with a refurbishment project.
After a time of co-ordination and planning, in March 2024, KAAW, through
their work with VOS, were able to divert some funds (which originated from
the Armed Forces Covenant Fund) towards the restoration of the Summer
House and work commenced.
The project received a donation of timber from Morgan Timber with
professional carpentry skills provided in-kind by the Gurkha Regiments training
at RSME 7.
At this point we must offer a huge vote of thanks to Graham Huckstep who
was invaluable in helping us get the project started through to the finish line.
Then in October 2024 the REA Veterans were engaged in designing and
creating five stained glass panels overseen by Gravesend Artist, Mona Whitton.
Feedback indicated that they greatly enjoyed learning a new crafting skill.
On the 29th January 2025, The Lord Lieutenant of Kent, The High Sherriff of
Kent and The Mayor of Medway all visited to re-dedicate the refurbished
Summer House.
Finally, on the 13 th June 2025, Rochester Cathedral welcomed HRH the Duchess
of Edinburgh, who visited the gardens behind the Cathedral. During her tour,
she met volunteers and community groups who had been working hard in the
gardens including our REA Veterans.
The hope is to use the gardens for projects focused on mental health, well-
being, prayer, and spiritual growth for the benefit of all.
