Cambridge approves Freedom Fountain memorial

Cambridge’s Freedom Fountain Receives Planning Permission

Cambridge’s Freedom Fountain has moved a stage closer after full planning permission was secured for the new public memorial. Those behind it gathered at Ditchburn Place, off Mill Road, where it will be installed, to celebrate the progress.

Purpose of the Memorial

The project aims to honour the service and sacrifice of the United British Indian Army. It will be a working fountain and “living memorial” intended to reflect Cambridge’s long-standing links with the Commonwealth and South Asia.

Significance of the Memorial

The memorial has been hailed as “the first European memorial to recognise the full scale of the United British Indian Army’s service across both World Wars, honouring the contribution of more than four million soldiers.” Set beside the Cambridge Gateway from India, the Freedom Fountain is envisioned as a centrepiece for residents to encounter in everyday life – a place for reflection, learning, and shared remembrance.

Collaboration and Design

The memorial has been developed through collaboration between artists, community organisers, and academic partners. This includes Cambridge-based sculptor Colleen McLaughlin Barlow, whose design centres on themes of continuity and shared heritage. Academic collaboration has also shaped the project’s sustainable and educational ambitions, with support from engineers at the University of Cambridge contributing to the fountain’s low-impact design.

Inclusivity and Community Focus

The memorial is intended to be “explicitly inclusive” – both “apolitical” and “areligious” – honouring wartime service across communities and faiths. Abdul Kayum Arain, Piero D’Angelico, and Mihail Stoyanov, the organisers of the project, said: “For us, this memorial is about finally recognising the service and sacrifice of more than four million soldiers of the United British Indian Army, whose collective contribution during the World Wars has too often been overlooked.”

Community Engagement and Future Plans

The project was discussed with civic leaders, including former mayor Baiju Thittala, following the city’s 2024 commemoration of the fallen heroes of the United British Indian Army. The conversations led the team to conclude that remembrance should extend beyond a single ceremonial event and that Cambridge could play a role in creating a permanent memorial.

Next Steps and Fundraising

With planning permission secured, the team is preparing to take the project to Westminster. It will be presented to a wider audience of supporters, partners, and community leaders. A reception is planned for 9 February at Speaker’s House, Westminster, where organisers expect to welcome dignitaries, ambassadors, and representatives from multiple communities.

Support and Endorsements

Supported by Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner and other parliamentarians, and involving the Speaker’s office, the team hopes the occasion will help put the memorial on a national platform. A charity behind the memorial has also been registered – Bridging Worlds CIO – giving organisers a formal governance structure as fundraising and delivery plans accelerate.

Veteran Support

The fountain has been endorsed by Captain (Ret) Yavar Abbas, a 105-year-old Second World War veteran of the 11th Sikh Regiment and an acclaimed filmmaker. Capt Abbas met with the team, reviewed project materials, and encouraged them to maintain accuracy and momentum as they build support.

Public Engagement Focus

Capt Abbas drew national attention in August 2025 during VJ Day commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum, when he went “off script” to salute King Charles III – a moment that visibly moved both the King and Queen. The focus is now on fundraising and public engagement to help ensure the memorial tells the story of wartime service, including the scale of contribution from South Asia and beyond.