The Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony of the Memorial Angel

The Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony of the Memorial Angel on Sunday April 26th 2009 went perfectly, the sun shone all day, lots of friends, many from TCF all 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 London Corporation gave a short talk about policy of adapting the needs of the Community, of which the Memorial Angel is an example.

My husband, 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 less understood than perhaps it was 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 support. Mike thanked all those who's 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 and The Rev. Peter Smith gave a deeply appreciated homily, 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

Frances Speakman

The Angel Memorial - City of London Cemetery

Dedication led by The Reverend Peter Smith

Mr Michael Speakman

Front Inscription

Reverend Peter Smith - Vicar of Aldersbrook & Assistant Area Dean of Redbridge

Inscription on Back of Plinth