Bicester Fire Station honour heroes with memorial garden

Weston-on-the-Green resident, David Brian Williams, said he was approached by Bicester Fire Station to help them curate a haven for their servicepeople following the deaths of their colleagues.

Firefighters Martyn Sadler and Jennie Logan lost their lives in the line of duty during the Bicester Motion fire, which engulfed Hangar 79 on May 15, 2025. Dave Chester, a businessman, also lost his life.

Their heroism and bravery will continue to be remembered through a blooming corner of greenery, shrubs and swift birds, which have declined by more than 60 per cent since the 1990s.

The new memorial garden at Bicester Fire Station to remember the firefighters who lost their lives in the Bicester Motion fire in 2025 (Image: David Williams)

Mr Williams, who hand-builds nest boxes for conservation projects, installed swift boxes at Bicester School after persuading his parish council to add 16 chambers to its church, later becoming its biodiversity officer and expanding his work.

READ MORE: Cause of Bicester Motion fire still unknown one year on

READ MORE: Bicester Motion fire first anniversary as lives are honoured

READ MORE: Bicester remembers fallen firefighters one year on from fire

While he is not involved in the planting or design of the garden, he said he was “pleased to hear from them and went there to discuss what we could do to help.”

He added: “It’s a lovely garden and will be a great place to relax and watch the swifts above when they take to the boxes.”

After consulting swift expert and friend Chris Mason of Cherwell Swifts, he returned a couple of weeks later to fit the four boxes and a loan bird calling device, funded by Cherwell Swifts.

This year alone he has put up 71 boxes, with more than 100 expected once back orders are fulfilled.