St John’s Memory Well

At St John’s, our own well sits in the centre of our Southside almshouse garden, just off Winchester’s High Street. It has been used as a place of reflection and repose for our residents and staff who delight in sitting on the nearby bench and soaking up the sunshine.

Whilst the well is much-loved within our own tight-knit residential community, we want to offer Winchester locals and visitors the opportunity to remember loved ones past and present in the tranquil and peaceful setting.

We’ve commissioned local Winchester artist Kezia Hoffman to redesign our well in dedication to the joyful, meaningful, and enduring memories of time spent with family and friends. The bright light of the sky will be reflected by a large circular mirror sitting on the floor of the well, with a forged steel frame of the yin-yang pattern symbolic of the cyclical seasons of life and the interconnection and interdependence between us all. A bell-shaped steel dome will safeguard 12 handcrafted copper leaves that will look as if they are being carried by the wind.

We invite our valued supporters to donate one of the 12 ‘Legacy Leaves’ in memory of or dedication to a loved one or special time. Donors will have the option to nominate a name or short quote to be stamped onto the leaf before it is suspended and immortalised in the well.

All Legacy Leaf donors will also be invited to attend an exclusive event marking the completion of the well redesign and its new purpose and place within Winchester.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the Memory Well or Legacy Leaf campaign, or would like to donate a Legacy Leaf, please contact Maddie Cowell, Head of Income and Engagement on maddie.cowell@stjohnswinchester.co.uk.

See our press release here.