Veterans unveil Earlestown garden of remembrance

A ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 5, to officially open the garden, planted by Newton and District Veterans Group.

Members of the group presented the garden to the Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Sue Murphy, with others who were involved also attending. 

Veterans lined up to present the garden to the community (Image: Cllr Terry Maguire)

Accompanying the garden of remembrance is a new memorial bench, fitted opposite for members of the community to sit and admire the garden whilst having a moment with their thoughts.

A memorial bench has been fitted opposite the garden (Image: St Helens Star)

Chris Scarisbrick, secretary of Newton and District Veterans Group, said: "We, a local veterans group, have obtained untended ground in Newton-le-Willows adjacent to the Town Hall and have converted it into a garden of remembrance, complete with a memorial bench.

"The aim was to provide a place of solitude or somewhere we could pay respects or just sit and think, but with covid, etc, we decided it would be a great idea to make it open to the whole town. 

The garden is now completed after several months of work (Image: St Helens Star)

"We worked several weekends and during days off and had the involvement of local youth charity Business for Youth whose youngsters worked enthusiastically.  

"Our aim is to hand over to the town for the benefit of the town and its people to allow anyone to go and remember, as well as a focal point for the Armed Forces Veterans during commemorations, parades, etc."

Youngsters from children’s charity Business for Youth, who worked alongside the veterans to plant flowers in the garden, did the honours of unveiling the bench.

From left to right: Isabella Martindale, 10, Christopher Martindale, 11, Louisa Martindale, 15, William Martindale, 9 (Image: St Helens Star)

Marcus Allanson, 38, and Connor Healey, 29, from metal fabrication laser and welding company Profix, based in St Helens, made the memorial bench for locals to sit and reflect.

Marcus Allanson and Connor Healey received a certificate for their dedication to install the memorial bench (Image: St Helens Star)

Marcus said: "When we saw the garden was happening, we felt obliged to get involved and it was nice to be able to donate to the town."

Connor added: "It was a joy to work on and it’s for such a good cause."

Members of the veteran group, founded in 2019, attended the opening and were honoured to present the garden and bench for the community to enjoy.

From left to right: George Brown, 64, George Campbell, 64, Roy Heppenstall, 86, Mark Rahaman, 69 (Image: St Helens Star)

George Campbell, 64, veteran group’s chairman, said: "It’s an absolute honour and privilege to open this up for Earlestown.

"It’s not just for the veterans, as we’ve always said, we run it as a veterans group, but the garden of remembrance is here for everyone to sit down and reflect on thoughts."

Mark Rahaman joined the service when he was 16 and is a member of the Newton and District Veterans Group.

69-year-old Mark said: "The benches and garden will give people a place to sit down and reflect and try to get away from worries.

"It’s for the whole town, not just for the veterans."

The garden is located adjacent to Earlestown Town Hall.