Clapham Common : Jeremy Brett Memorial Garden

England's Clapham Common is one of London's most appealing greenspaces; any changes must certainly be made to enhance the community as well as the Common itself. It is the sincere intention of the undersigned that, an area within the Common be designated the Jeremy Brett Memorial Garden.

One of the area's most distinguished residents, actor Jeremy Brett, died in his Clapham home on September 12, 1995; he had lived there for many years, and cherished the beauty of the Common. Mr Brett bravely worked through the illnesses of manic depression and heart disease. His many and varied performances on stage and film were always of the highest quality; his interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes was acknowledged as being "definitive," an accolade given him not only by his fans and Doyle experts but also by Sir Arthur's daughter, the late Dame Jean Conan Doyle. Mr Brett insisted on absolute fidelity to Doyle's work and is, perhaps, the only actor ever to have portrayed this very demanding role directly from its original text. Truly a man who put others first, Mr Brett worked closely with Britain's Manic Depression Fellowship, Cancer Research and many charities for children.

The proposed garden area would accomplish many goals. It would enhance the charm and beauty of the Common and enrich the lives of those who visit. It would provide a water feature, shade, a variety of colourful flowers (one of these being a new variety of rose named for Mr Brett), and seating areas for reflection/relaxation.

We hope to achieve this goal by 2005 for the 10th year since Mr Brett's passing, to honour a man who was one of Britain's most gifted actors, an unselfish and caring human being...a man who truly loved Clapham Common and an inspiring role model for generations to come.