Commemoration in the Park
Situated at the top of Campbell Park is the Milton Keynes Rose which was created in 2014. This area was once home to a fountain.
Originally envisaged as a tree and bench-lined oasis, as brought to life by Helmut Jacoby’s 1976 drawing, this used to be the site of a large round pond with a central fountain.
Image 1: Proposed City Park, drawing of pond area by Helmut Jacoby (Buckinghamshire Archives: D-MKDC/16/1/71)
When the pond proved difficult to maintain, as leaks and health and safety concerns increased, it presented an opportunity to create a new civic space that the city lacked - a public place for commemoration, celebration and contemplation. The idea was developed by internationally renowned artist Gordon Young into the Milton Keynes Rose.
Image 2: The fountain in round pond with shopping centre behind. (Living Archive: CMK103)
Installation of the Milton Keynes Rose was completed in 2014 and the artwork combines the complex and beautiful geometry of a flower with a powerful sense of community, built around shared events of remembrance and celebration.
At each intersection of the rose petal design a granite pillar emerges from the ground, 106 in all, which are or will be inscribed with dates associated with memorable and commendable events.
There are pillars for saints’ days; Diwali; Eid Al-Fitr; and the remembrance of fallen soldiers on Armistice Day. Broader cultural and historical markers are also to be found including the founding of the Open University; the production of the First Teabag in Bletchley; and global days such as World Poetry Day and World Hospice Day as well as significant recent events such as Covid-19.
Image 3: The Milton Keynes Rose
Gordon Young and his team describe the design process behind MK Rose developed in this Living Archive production.
Every year existing pillars become the focal point of various celebrations and services.
The Milton Keynes Rose also contains a plaque that commemorates the influence and achievement of Jock Campbell. Lord Campbell was chairman of the Milton Keynes Development Corporation - the organisation that was responsible for creating the new city, from 1967 to 1983. He officially opened the park that bears his name on 4 May 1984. The inscription “Si Monumentum Requiris Circumspice”, translates from the Latin as “If you seek his monument, look around”, and can also be found on Christopher Wren’s tomb in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Image 4: Lord Campbell at the round pond and fountain (Living Archive: CMK103)
Follow the Campbell Park Trail to discover the history of this Grade II listed landscape. Featuring archive photos and videos with the people who helped make the park what it is today.
