June and Norm lived and raised their family in the Beckenham Loop, near the Methodist Church. The Church became central to them both and they served on several committees.

Norm died in November 2021, and June died less than a year later. Their four sons wanted to acknowledge their legacy and the love and support the family and friends received from the Beckenham Methodist Church Community. After meeting with the Parish Council, the brothers decided to establish a garden area in the church carpark. In transforming an overgrown garden of large trees which blocked the view of the church from the street, they wanted to create a welcoming space to sit, rest and reflect.

The concept plans, designed to complement an existing community garden on a side street, gained the support of the local Neighbourhood Association and a neighbouring café, The Birdwood. Parish steward, Sam Beaumont, provided a digger to excavate the seating area and over a seven-month period the brothers met each Friday to develop their concept plans into the seasonal memorial garden they envisioned.

They named the space The Garden of Friends to acknowledge all the people that were part of the church community during their parents’ association. During the dedication service those gathered remembered the many church activities that were special to June and Norm - and others in the parish – including picnics, parties, spring fairs, dances, flower and arranging group, boys’ and girls’ brigades, prayer group, coffee club and women’s fellowship, working on church gardens and properties, serving in the vestry, serving as a door steward, and serving on Parish Council, Synod and Conference.

This project, special for the Allen brothers and the congregation, has touched the hearts of those from the community who provided support and now rest and reflect on the newly constructed seating the garden provides.