After more than 18 months of planning, fundraising and a huge amount of effort, Farnborough Sands will officially open their baby and children’s memorial garden on Saturday 16th July at 11am at the Aldershot Crematorium.
Farnborough Sands were given the opportunity to join forces with Aldershot Crematorium to design and build a memorial garden in their beautiful grounds, for anyone affected by the death of a baby or child.
Local Garden Designer, bereaved parent and group volunteer, Susie Black, has given her time to create a design where families can come to grieve and remember their loved ones, in their own unique way. The garden is intended to be a natural, peaceful space in which to pause and reflect with opportunities to leave a personalised memorial if desired.
The design features gentle curving paths that take the visitor on a journey through light feathery planting. Plants have been carefully chosen to attract wildlife and provide year-round interest. Specimen trees and shrubs have brought structure and shelter to the area. The garden is further enhanced by features such as modern sculptures, the ‘moon bed’ where engraved pebbles can be laid, curved benches on which to rest and a memorial wall, where visitors can light a candle for their loved one.
The garden has been made possible due to the incredible fundraising effort of Farnborough Sands members, generous donations from individuals and businesses, Rushmoor Borough Council funding and a Farnborough Airport Community Environment Fund grant.
Susie Black of Farnborough Sands, said:
“Spending time in and around nature has been widely recognised as having a soothing and restorative effect on people’s mental health. We hope this space brings comfort and support to bereaved families and is a place they can escape the pressures and stress of the outside world and feel safe and undisturbed in their grief. We hope it inspires people to make connections with nature and their loved ones. We hope it inspires other crematoriums and councils to provide such a space for their community.
Cllr Martin Tennant, Rushmoor Borough Council Cabinet member for Environment and Service Delivery, said:
“The memorial garden is a lovely idea that will give bereaved parents some peace and comfort during their darkest times. Sands and their volunteers have done a fantastic job and I’m sure the garden will become a much-loved facility in years to come.”
To contact Farnborough Sands and find out more, please call 07792 239 593, email support@farnboroughsands.co.uk, go to http://www.farnboroughsands.co.uk/ or visit their dedicated Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/farnboroughsandsmemorialgarden.