TCF News, Summer 2022

Summer 2022 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 9 Sculpture unveiled in Perth Memorial Garden During the Gathering a special visit was made to the wonderful memorial garden created especially for The Compassionate Friends by the charity Beautiful Perth. A special new sculpture was unveiled to add to this stunning garden. If you are in Perth do go and visit. More details at www.tcf.org.uk/memorials Irene and John Baldock visited the garden and they write about their experience here. “One of the outstanding moments of the weekend of the Scottish Gathering was a visit to the TCF Memorial Garden in Riverside Gardens, Perth. Originally the area was full of brambles and weeds but has now been lovingly landscaped for The Compassionate Friends by the charity Beautiful Perth. We were met by John Summers MBE, CEO of Beautiful Perth and his wonderful team of volunteers. The purpose of the visit was to see a new sculpture unveiled by Hugh McAninch, John Summers MBE and Carolyn Brice CEO of The Compassionate Friends. The sculpture was of a fork with a rose twisting around the shaft and a robin on the handle with a worm shaped into a heart in its beak. Standing there looking at the wonderful garden we became quite emotional. Something we didn’t expect. We hung our butterflies and messages on the rowan tree which was planted in memory of All Our Children in May 2017. There is also a dedicated bench for quiet reflection at the top of the garden. The spring flowers were showing their beautiful colours alongside a small stream. It was breathtaking. Along one side the National Collection of Heathers has also been established in the Memorial Garden. It is here where a Snake Bark Acer Tree was planted in May 2019 to commemorate our 50th year. The Beautiful Perth volunteers really spoilt us with refreshments and homemade cakes. It was such a special afternoon”. Remembering our children with love. Irene and John Baldock Save the date! Next year’s Scottish Gathering will be 24 - 26 March 2023.