Memorial Plaques added to Garden of Reflection for 2022
May 25, 2022
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council held an annual Garden of Reflection service on Monday 23rd May to remember lost loved ones including babies born asleep, babies lost through miscarriage, neonatal losses or young people under the age of 18.
The service was live streamed and led by The Mayor, Alderman Stephen Martin and the Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Cheryl Meban.
Following a beautiful poem which was written and read by the Kirkwood Family, who advocated for the garden’s creation, the ceremony concluded with a minute’s silence.
Earlier in the day, families and friends of those who have added the names of loved ones to the benches since 2019 were invited to visit the Garden and take time to reflect.
SANDS (a stillbirth and neonatal bereavement charity) were also present to offer advice and support.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Martin said: “It is my hope that your garden and this service will bring some small measure of comfort and support to those who are living with grief. This space has been and will continue to be a focal point of quiet reflection and remembrance for much loved and cherished babies and children.
“Every year, we invite parents or next of kin of those who wish to, to submit the names of their loved ones to be engraved on a memorial plaque. This is intended to be a lasting tribute and to offer some further comfort, particularly for those who may have no other physical location to go to.
“I want to express my most sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted names for inclusion on the memorial plaque for 2022 and in the years previous. Please remember this garden is open every day and is a space for the public to remember loved ones.”
To watch back the service, please CLICK HERE and you will be taken to our Facebook page.
Caption: Mayor Alderman Stephen Martin, Chief Executive David Burns and Reverend Cheryl Meban (Centre) were joined by the Kirkwood Family (left), Chair of Corporate Services Councillor John Laverty BEM (far right) and Councillor Uel Mackin (inside right)
Caption: The two plaques that have been added to the Garden of Reflection for 2022.