Churchill’s Statue
The famous Oscar Nemon statue of Sir Winston Churchill stands in a prominent position looking out towards the Dover Patrol Memorial on the white cliffs, in the distance. Sir Winston Churchill’s grandson, Winston Churchill MP, unveiled the bronze statue on November 30th, 1972.
The Dover area resonates with historical importance that spans generations and the placement of an interpretation of Winston Churchill in this location draws focus to the Second World War in particular.
Winston Churchill has today become synonymous with rousing speeches that evoked a sense of pride and national spirit during turbulent times, but it was his activities as well as his words that reinforced his patriotic presence.
During this time, Churchill in his role as Prime Minister was active in protecting this stretch of coastline named Hell-Fire Corner due to the continual bombardment that it received. Churchill visited areas of the country that had been bombed, reviewing the damage at first hand and his personal involvement included visiting Dover to inspect its coastal reinforcements. Churchill additionally spent time in the wartime operational tunnels within the white cliffs beneath Dover Castle.
In the 1920’s, Churchill bought Chartwell House in Kent and in 1941 received the great honour of being appointed Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports. The Cinque Ports comprise Dover, Sandwich, Hythe, New Romney and Hastings, these five towns were collectively responsible in medieval history for taking people to the continent and fighting wars at sea. Prominent figures have continued in the Lord Warden role, including Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who held the position for two decades before her death. Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE, will take up the role and become the current Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in April 2005.
The statue of Sir Winston Churchill within the Pines Garden was the personal gift of Frederick Cleary CBE, the founder of the St. Margaret’s Bay Trust.
