Milton Keynes Rose

Introduction

At the entrance to Campbell Park is a flower bed planted with box hedging and bedding plants in the form of a compass rose. Beyond is, the park as brought to life by Helmut Jacoby’s 1976 drawing, what would be a tree and bench lined oasis which was to become a large round pond with a central fountain.

Development

When the pond proved difficult to maintain, as budgets tightened and health and safety concerns increased, it presented an opportunity to create a new civic space. Inspired by the prospect of providing the city with a memorial similar to London’s Cenotaph, the idea was then developed by artist Gordon Young into the Milton Keynes Rose.

The Milton Keynes Rose combines the complex and beautiful geometry of a flower with a powerful sense of community, built around shared events of remembrance and celebration.

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; World Poetry Day; Windrush Day; and Covid-19.

A panel of trustees, made up of representatives from various local community interests, review proposals for new pillars while every year the existing pillars become the focal point of various celebrations, commemorations, and contemplations.

Milton Keynes Rose also contains a plaque that commemorates the influence and achievement of Jock Campbell. Lord Campbell, chairman of the MKDC from 1967 to 1983, 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.

More information on the Milton Keynes Rose and its Pillars can be found on its website:
Milton Keynes Rose