Work starts on new memorial at the Greenhous Meadow
Work has started today on a new memorial garden at the Greenhous Meadow which will act as a lasting and permanent memorial to all those fans, players and staff who have sadly passed away.The club have been working with representatives from the Supporters Parliament, Super Blues as well as the club’s Chaplain Phil Cansdale as to the best way to create this lasting memorial. The working group have visited and spoken to clubs around the country and drawn advice from Sports Chaplaincy UK who work with English clubs.
An area has been set aside just to the left as you enter the Greenhous Meadow with Asset Surface Management carrying out the work to create the garden. The garden will be created within the area with foot paths around central focal points. Seating areas will be sited in each corner and an area created using soft landscaping with beds for flowers and plants.
Once the garden is finished we will offer the opportunity for ashes to be scattered in the garden area. Enquiries can come straight to the club, and this will be co-ordinated by the club chaplain. We’ll be using the good practice and policy learnt from other clubs in how best to go about this. The chaplain would be very happy to make this opportunity open and available to anyone and everyone, and we’d include these names as part of an annual opportunity to remember those who have died in the previous twelve months.
The existing memorial bricks in the area around the training pitch will be left where they are, with these names recorded in the new memorial garden area as well.
The Supporters Parliament and Super Blues have worked on the initial designs and at the recent meeting it was agreed they would gather views from all about the structure, content and use of the garden area.
Club Chaplain Phil Cansdale is pleased there is now a garden at the Greenhous Meadow where fans can remember their loved ones.
“We know how huge a part the club plays in people’s lives, and so we want to offer a range of ways to celebrate and remember life's most significant moment”, said Phil
“I’m very much looking forward to working with families who would like to scatter ashes in this new memorial garden, and to see the area becoming part of the story of the club.”
Supporters Parliament chairman Mike Davis is delighted that the project is underway and a lasting memorial garden will be built.
“Personally I’m very pleased we have been able to get this project off the ground and underway this summer.” said Mike.
“I think it’s important the club has an area that’s recognised by all, as an area for reflection and remembrance. On behalf of the SP I’d like to thank, the club, community team, Asset Construction and Rev Phil for their help and support as well as the Superblues for their help funding.
“For us it was important that this was a supporter led project and the club have helped us at every stage. I’m hoping this will be an area we can be very proud of and will bring comfort to those who use it.”
Pictures: Harry Allmark (Asset Surface Management), Mike Davis (Supporters Parliament Chairman), Rev Phil Cansdale and Phil Allmark (Managing Director, Asset Surface Management )