New 'Living Roof' installed on top of iconic memorial in tribute to WW1 dead
A pioneering new green 'Living Roof' has been installed on the top of one of the most iconic World War One memorials. The Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, has stood in tribute to British soldiers killed during the Great War for almost 100 years. And during recent extensive work bosses at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission decided to completely change the roof as part of the ongoing tribute to those who died.
There is now a mini garden, with a range of plants, on the roof - the first one the CWGC have ever built. CWGC Director of Horticulture David Richardson said: 'As part of this restoration, we have introduced a new living – green - roof onto the site.
"This living roof is a first for the CWGC and reflects our broader commitment to embedding sustainable practices into the care of our global sites. With structural modifications to the Menin Gate not permitted, we placed sustainability at the heart of our approach. Featuring two types of planting: a mixed sedum species, and a broader range of low-growing herbaceous plants, the plant distribution will naturally evolve over time.'" Princess Anne re-opened the memorial earlier this month.
The Deputy Director of CWGC Central and Southern Europe Sarah Camerlynck said: "We didn't just restore the physical structure; we also renewed our promise to keep the names and stories of the fallen alive. This restoration focuses on the monument's long-term sustainable preservation, ensuring that future generations can continue to remember the important events linked to this commemorative site."
The CWGC said they were preparing for the next century of honouring the fallen at the Menin Gate, with the introduction of a pioneering Living Roof system on the monument's newly restored roof.
CWGC spokesman Lewis Brown said: "By implementing the Living Roof, the CWGC is demonstrating its dedication to finding practical solutions that contribute to the preservation of species and the mitigation of climate change effects. It marks a significant step in sustainable preservation, ensuring that the Menin Gate Memorial continues to stand as a symbol of remembrance for generations to come.
"The installation of the Living Roof required various steps, executed by experts in the field. Several factors required careful consideration beforehand, as the Memorial holds UNESCO World Heritage status and is part of the protected Flemish National Heritage.
"This required ensuring that the layout and design of the Living Roof would not compromise the historic integrity of the memorial. Additionally, no structural modifications could be made to the existing design, and the introduction of vegetation needed to be fully reversible." The Menin Gate Memorial is one of four memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders, covering the Ypres Salient.
It bears the names of more than 54,000 members of the British and Commonwealth forces who died in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, the memorial was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.
A Living Roof is a roofing system partially or entirely covered with vegetation. It includes a waterproof membrane, drainage system, growing medium usually soil and plants. Living Roofs offer numerous environmental benefits, such as reducing heat absorption (aiding in temperature regulation), improving air quality, managing rainwater run-off by absorbing rain and supporting biodiversity in the area. The Living Roof helps reduce the urban heat island effect and extends the lifespan of the underlying roof structure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
10 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Patios will be moss-free and clean if you use this 1 kitchen item
Gardens are often covered with black slimy spots and mossy stains. We tend to spend more time in our gardens during the summer months. This is when we start to notice the jobs that need to be done in our backyards, and one common problem is dirty slabs and patios. When patios and garden slabs get wet, they become a breeding ground for moss and algae. Moss and algae tend to be more common during the colder seasons, but British summers are very humid and often wet, which can cause these plant-like organisms to stick firmly to outdoor surfaces. You might think that cleaning the patio requires a powerful pressure washer or a hard scrub, but there's a household product that you probably already have in the cupboard that will do the job much cheaper. They said: 'One very unconventional yet very effective way of getting rid of unwanted paving weeds is by using bicarbonate of soda. 'When eradicating moss from your garden, bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, is a very powerful substance that will get rid of the moss in no time.' Baking soda might seem simple, but people often underestimate how useful it is for cleaning various areas around the home. According to the Express, it can kill both moss and algae. Moss and algae can only live in an acidic environment, but baking soda is an alkaline product, so it raises the pH level on a surface, stopping them from growing. Baking soda is also naturally absorbent and will suck all the moisture off a patio, which also dries them and makes it much harder for them to survive. This is one of the easiest ways to kill moss and algae while also making a patio dryer and less acidic. There is no chance they will grow back for the rest of the summer. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. How to remove moss and algae stuck to a patio All you need to do is wait for a sunny day, and then give your patio a good sweep to help loosen the stains first. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of dry baking soda on any mossy or algae-ridden patio areas. Leave the baking soda alone to give it time to dry them out and raise the pH level. It should typically take 24 to 48 hours. You can keep applying baking soda during this time if you wish. You will know it has worked when the moss or algae begins to turn brown, as that means it is dying. Once it has completely dried up, the moss or algae should be easily removed by sweeping it with a broom. Use hot water to rinse your patio, and it should stay clean and stain-free for much longer.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Woman, 73, told off by council for selling sausage rolls in her front garden
An elderly woman has been scolded by her council for 'bad food hygiene' after selling sausage rolls from her front garden. Jo Taylor, 73, was handed a letter from Norwich City Council for selling pastries and cakes at the NR2 Yard Sale this month. The council said they received a tip-off that she was 'operating an unregistered food business'. Writing on the yard sale's Facebook group, Jo said: 'Did anyone else receive one of these in the post? 'Obviously, it had to do with the selling of foodstuffs at the NR2 Yard Sale. Does this mean food cannot be sold next time? Someone has a lot of time on their hands, is all I can say.' A council official wrote in the letter that all food businesses must be registered, regardless of whether they're run from a home or not. 'If you sell, cook, store, handle, prepare or distribute food, you may be considered a food business and will need to register with your local authority,' the letter said. The official urged Jo to register her 'food business' with the council, which would then be inspected and given a food standard hygiene rating. But they wouldn't have too long to carry out an inspection, given that Jo only bakes the breakfast food once a year for an annual yard sale. Jo told Norwich Evening News that her sausage rolls have long been a favourite at the annual NR2 Yard Sale, which encourages people to set up a stand at the front of their house. The pensioner usually sells pasties and jams for charity, but kept the cash this time, making £30 on July 19. She received the letter from the council in the post on July 24. The sausage roll, that bit of meat wrapped in a duvet of pastry, is about as British as you can get. But they're not actually from the UK – they come from the ancient Greeks, who regularly wrapped spiced meat in dough before baking it. The French then perfected the flaky puff pastry when giving a sausage roll a go, with the British pretty much seeing it and going: 'Well, go on then.' The rolls became popular in the 1800s as a breakfast snack paired with a pint (it was the Victorian era, after all). The sausage roll hasn't changed too much since, though our very own Metro investigation found that some bakeries are charging well over a fiver for them now. The ancient Greeks would not be amused. 'I was shocked at first and then slightly amused to think that someone really thought that I had a business selling sausage rolls,' she said. 'I just think they do not have anything better to do. Either that, or they are jealous of my sausage rolls.' More Trending Fellow yard sale vendors were similarly puzzled by the letter, with one writing on Facebook: 'Absolutely ridiculous, are they going to start handing out fines to lemonade stands and bake sales next?' Replying to Jo's post, the yard sale organisers said they have 'clarified the position' of the stand with the council. Jo phoned the council and was told she would need to complain about what happened, but stressed no action would be taken and, no, she does not have a police file. Norwich City Council and NR2 Yard Sale have been approached for comment. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'Gangster gran' banned from Asda for 'yellow sticker scam' vows to clear name MORE: Builder who had £12.40 in his bank account wins £1,000,000 on Lottery scratchcard
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Fish and chips will 'golden and crisp' in just one hour — no need for deep frying
For an easy and delicious fish and chips recipe that requires no deep frying, look no further - it's even better than the chippy Fish and chips, a classic British dish, is often the takeaway of choice for many on a Friday night. This tradition has become so popular that it's affectionately known as "fish and chip Friday," marking the end of the working week with a trip to the local chippy, reports the Express. With over 10,500 dedicated fish and chip shops across the UK, it's not hard to satisfy your craving for these deep-fried delights, although you might have to shell out £18 or even £21 for the privilege. Given the cost, it's worth considering making fish and chips at home, and you don't even need a deep-fat fryer. The culinary experts at Maldon Salt have shared a simple air fryer recipe that promises mouth-watering crispy cod and chips in just an hour. The recipe uses panko breadcrumbs, which are made from crust-less bread and designed to be light and fluffy. To achieve a crunchy batter on the fish, they recommend using either hake or cod, and combining Maldon Sea Salt flakes with vegetable oil. The recipe also includes tasty mushy peas and tartar sauce, and unlike at a chip shop, there's no extra charge. Plus, you can make extras. How to make fish and chips Ingredients For the chips 500g floury potatoes 1-2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil Maldon Sea Salt flakes For the fish 2 fillets of firm white fish such as cod or hake 50g plain flour 1 egg, lightly beaten 100g panko breadcrumbs 1-2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil Maldon Sea Salt flakes For the mushy peas 200g frozen peas 50g butter Maldon Sea Salt flakes For the tartar sauce 4 tbsp mayonnaise 1 tbsp capers, roughly chopped Small handful of cornichons, finely chopped Small bunch of parsley, finely chopped Zest and juice of half a lemon Black pepper Method For quick cooking, preheat the air fryer to 180C while you prepare the potatoes. Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin batons. Toss with oil to coat and season with Maldon Sea Salt. Spread out evenly in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until "golden and crisp", instructs the cooking experts. For the fish, pat the fillets dry and season with Maldon Sea Salt. Put the flour in one shallow bowl, the beaten egg in another, and the panko breadcrumbs in another. Coat the first fillet in flour, tap off any excess, then turn in the egg, let any excess drip off, and finally coat in the breadcrumbs. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs onto the fillet to ensure even coverage. Repeat with the second fillet. Drizzle the breaded fillets with a little oil, then bake in the air fryer for 15 minutes until crisp on the outside and cooked through. For the mushy peas, briefly cook the peas in salted boiling water until tender. Drain, then return to the pan with the butter. Use a potato masher to crush the peas thoroughly. Season to taste with Maldon Sea Salt. For the tartar sauce, simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl and season with plenty of black pepper. As soon as the fish comes out of the air fryer, sprinkle it with Maldon Sea Salt. Serve the fish and chips with the mushy peas and tartar sauce, or try making your own curry sauce from scratch.
