A Visit to the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College

I was delighted to be invited to visit the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College by Nicky Beard, daughter of the Headmaster whose vision first brought this extraordinary place into being. Also joining the visit was Jane Cranston, a former High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, and Vivien Payne, widow of the late Michael, a former Under Sheriff – always wonderful company and, like me, moved by the experience.

The Chapel itself is quite beautiful – simple, light and deeply contemplative. The unadorned walls give a remarkable sense of calm and space, while the soaring roofline evokes both a ship and a pair of hands held in prayer – a fitting reflection of Pangbourne’s maritime heritage.

At the east end, the magnificent stained glass window by John Clark captures the essence of the South Atlantic – shifting blues and greens, the outline of the Falkland Islands held within a cross, and the ever-present suggestion of wind and sea. The light plays across the floor and walls throughout the day, transforming the whole space with quiet grace.

Opened by Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2000, the Chapel stands as a national memorial to all who served, and to the 255 who lost their lives, in the Falklands conflict. Each seat bears a name, and every service ensures that those names are remembered – not just in solemn silence, but within the living rhythm of the school community.

What struck me most was that this is not a static memorial but a living chapel, used week by week by the pupils and staff of Pangbourne College. It feels very much alive – a place of worship, reflection, music, and community, where remembrance sits comfortably alongside the energy and promise of youth.

I left feeling deeply moved – grateful for the vision that created such a place, and reminded that remembrance can, and should, be a living part of who we are today.