The Angel Memorial
by Frances Speakman
Eight years ago, following the death of our much loved grown up daughter Angela, we had the idea for an Angel Memorial. We wanted to create a memorial for all children who have died, for everyones’ sons and daughters everywhere, of whatever age and belief; a focal point for bereaved parents to meet and talk about their precious children. I contacted Dr. Ian Hussein, the Director of the City of London Cemetery & Crematorium and put to him the idea of re-using one of the beautiful Angel statues to be found in the cemetery as a Public Memorial in memory of all our lost children, all ages, all religions. He thought this a 'wonderful' idea and very welcome, promising his full support and assistance. He told me they were piloting the reclamation and re-use of old abandoned monuments (in liaison with English Heritage and English Nature), under the guidance of their Heritage Advisory Panel.
The City Corporation, responsible for the very well run and secure cemetery, supported the idea and kindly agreed to locate the Memorial Angel therein.
To establish the Memorial, we needed to get wider general public support, in particular and importantly, financial contributions towards the costs. These would be needed for the restoration of the chosen Angel, the provision of a suitable base and the inscription of a plaque. The cemetery management and staff kindly helped and the Heritage Advisory Panel made available a beautifully restored Victorian Angel statue for the monument. Following various meetings over the years with the cemetery management, together with our fundraising ventures, wonderfully supported by family and friends from The Compassionate Friends, The Angel Memorial was finally ready for the Dedication Ceremony on the 26th April 2009 after 6 years of planning.
The Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony of the Memorial Angel on Sunday went perfectly, the sun shone all day, lots of friends, many from TCF attended and it was indeed a very emotional and memorable day, for us and all the bereaved parents who attended.
The service was beautiful, conducted by The Reverend Peter Smith, the Vicar of Aldersbrook & Assistant Area Dean of Redbridge. After the welcome Mr. Phillip Everett, Director of Environment Services for The City of L
ondon Corporation gave a short talk about policy of adapting to the needs of the Community, of which the Memorial Angel is an example.
Michael Speakman then spoke of the needs of bereaved parents, of how in today's world the anguish of parents bereft of a child is perhaps less well understood than in times past, and that generally speaking, the only people who can understand are others who have suffered the same sorrow. The sense of isolation that arises from the perceived lack of understanding contributes to the suffering.
The Compassionate Friends bridges the gap, enabling bereaved parents to contact one another in order to share in their grief and sorrow and provide mutual, truly understanding su
pport. Mike thanked all those whose efforts had enabled completion of the Memorial Angel -The City of London Corporation, Director Dr. Ian Hussein and his staff, The Rev. Peter Smith, fundraisers from TCF and other friends
and family and to me for providing the inspiration for the Memorial
Finally, we had the unveiling and laying of floral tributes, many from bereaved parents, followed by a deeply appreciated homily given by The Rev. Peter Smith, a message of love and hope, before dedicating and blessing the Memorial.
Afterwards we all moved to a marquee, where refreshments were served and people sat in the sunshine and chatted.
The Memorial Angel shows bereaved parents that they are not, and need not be, alone in their sorrow and their precious children are remembered and cherished.
THE ANGEL MEMORIAL
City of London Cemetery
Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London E.12 5DQ.
020 8530 2151
Since the Dedication of the Angel Memorial many visits by bereaved parents and others interested in visiting this unique memorial have taken place. Please let me know if you would like to make a visit and we would only be too pleased to make arrangements to meet up and escort you there.
