Following on from the post entitled ‘Born Sleeping’ babies we have received many contacts either by email or in person supporting this work. Chris Tywdell of the East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens charity has also been in touch, this was followed by a meeting in the old cemetery so we could tell him what we would like to do.
Our discussion was very encouraging and Chris, on behalf of the East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens charity, has pledged to support us and will provide a wooden bench – and possibly some financial support to allow us to create a White Garden of remembrance for the stillborn babies buried in our cemetery. We are in negotiations with FHDC for their agreement on this very kind offer of a wooden bench.
We have created a list of tasks to move us forward with creating the White Garden – FHDC have also kindly offered to provide a number of white-flowered shrubs plus shredded bark and topsoil – invaluable for improving the ground. Meanwhile, some of our volunteer group have taken cuttings and are growing white-flowered shrubs which will be ready for planting in spring.
You can find out more about the East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens group from their website and there are pictures of the Ashford Baby Memorial Garden which is another great project they were involved in.
The East Kent Baby Memorial Gardens group attends many local events – giving them the opportunity to fundraise for their work. Two events which are being held in our district listed here and I encourage FOFC members and other interested people to attend these family events and support their fundraising.
- the Folkestone Music Festival – on the Leas on Saturday and Sunday 7 & 8 August
- the Lions’ Donkey Derby – Radnor Park on Sunday 15 August
If you would like to support the White Garden project please do add a donation to our fundraising page which has been set up on; Justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bornsleeping
During the 1900’s, across the country, it was not uncommon to take a stillborn baby away from the parents immediately – they thought, to avoid distressing the parents. Please be reassured that this does not happen now – parents are always involved in decisions about what happens to their ‘born sleeping’ baby (https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/your-feelings/marking-your-loss/)
