Widow's tribute to 'soulmate' at Chartwell

A woman has honoured her late husband in an installation of steel daisies, each one dedicated to a lost loved one, created by Hospice in the Weald at Sir Winston Churchill's former home in Kent.

Jane Goodman, from Otford, Sevenoaks, has paid tribute to her husband, Steve, as part of a display of 500 daisies.

She said the Meadow of Memories at Chartwell, Westerham, which is dedicated to those who received care from Hospice in the Weald, is "a tangible connection between Steve, me and the hospice".

A second installation is at Scotney Castle near Lamberhurst. Both are open to the public until 17 May.

Ms Goodman said: "Steve was my absolute soulmate and unfortunately, he was diagnosed with liver cancer and had a battle with it over three years.

"Towards the end he got taken into the hospice and they were so wonderful."

Each of the 1,000 daisies across both installations have been designed and handcrafted by East Sussex artist, Paul Cox.

Amie Leimanis from Yalding, Maidstone, has dedicated a daisy to her father, Deryck Young, at Chartwell.

Leimanis said: "He was my hero, still is. He was just the kindest man ever."

Her father was supported by Hospice in the Weald as an outpatient, before his death from cancer, aged 73, in 2024.

She says "dedicating a daisy" to her father is a "chance to celebrate the good memories".

Lisa Hart, relationship fundraising executive at Hospice in the Weald, said they were "delighted" to collaborate with the National Trust again to create Meadows of Memories.

She said: "Daisies symbolise enduring love, returning each spring as a reminder that love and memory continue beyond loss.

"Every penny raised through a daisy dedication will contribute to the £9 million Hospice in the Weald needs each year to provide vital free care for adults and children facing life limiting illness when they need it most."

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