PUBLIC MEMORIAL ANGEL FOR OUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN

5TH MARCH 2006


THIS WEBPAGE 'CRASHED' ON THE 27TH FEBRUARY, IT WAS OFF-LINE FOR 5 DAYS! MY GUESTBOOK WITH 17 PAGES OF SUPPORT MESSAGES FOR THIS IDEA HAVE BEEN LOST!! IT IS NOT ALL SURE THESE WILL BE 'FOUND AND RESTORED' BY THIS 'WEBHOST SITE'!!

YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW DEVASTATED THIS HAS LEFT ME... SO MANY KIND, CARING MESSAGES HAVE GONE... PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS BEEN HERE IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS PLEASE, PLEASE LEAVE ME ANOTHER MESSAGE... THANK YOU...




1st February 2006

The idea for the above came about after we lost our beautiful eldest daughter Angela from a fatal asthma attack in February 2003. After the Requiem Mass held at St Augustine's Catholic Church in Barkingside, Ilford we then had the face the very difficult service at The city of London Cemetery for the cremation of our beloved daughter. We found the staff here were so kind and helpful which in these difficult circumstances is so very much appreciated.

I have over the years visited this large Victorian Cemetery, which is in Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park London E12 5DQ, many times, in connection with research on soldiers who gave their lives during the WW1 and have noticed many of the beautiful, sculptured Victorian Angel statues 'laid' on the grass for safety's sake, having come from unstable monuments.

I contacted Dr. Ian Hussein, the Director of the City of London Cemetery & Crematoriam and put the idea to him of using one of these beautiful Angel statues as a Public Memorial in memory of all our lost children, all ages, all religions. He thought this a 'wonderful' idea and very welcome and said he would give it his full support and assistance. He told me they are 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.

I have already submitted a proposed inscription, which has been accepted, for a plaque to be mounted on the memorial. Also ideas have been discussed as to a suitable location within the cemetery. It is proposed to have a specially designated area next to the memorial for parents to leave flowers etc. In March 2005 several Angels that may be suitable were identified, all needing restoration work. The next step was to wait to determine whether any were claimed by living relatives of the original owners. By November 2005 The Heritage Committee had given approval for one of these Victorian Angels to be used. A photo is shown on the webpage.

To establish this Memorial in memory of all our children we have lost, we need to get wider general public support and importantly, financial contributions towards the costs. This is needed for the restoration of the Angel chosen, the provision of a suitable base and the inscription plaque. Public subscription would seem most appropriate to CONFIRM support for the memorial. The city of London Corporation will pay for the upkeep and provide the land it will occupy.1t will be indeed a very safe and secure place to have this beautiful memorial for bereaved parents to visit and to meet other parents if they would like to, for a cup of tea in the lovely cafe' there which is just inside the Main Gate, and to chat about our beautiful, lost children as only bereaved parents can.

Please contact me by e-mail to register your support for this memorial and if possible to donate towards its establishment. As we all know losing a child, of whatever age, is the most devastating disaster that can ever happen in a person's lifetime. You never 'come to terms with it' and you never get over it, the grief and pain lives with you for ever. This will be a lasting tribute to all our precious children.

I have set up an Account with Barclays Bank in which all donations, towards the costs, can be paid into.. The Account No: 40734012 sort code: 20 44 22. Or cheques made out to PUBLIC ANGEL MEMORIAL FUND and sent to me direct ( please e-mail me for address) Thank-you....


THIS MEMORIAL ANGEL IS A MONUMENT IN MEMORY OF ALL OUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN WE HAVE TRAGICALLY LOST. IT IS FOR ALL AGES AND ALL RELIGIONS AND ALL BELIEFS....



Sincerely
Mrs Frances Speakman




ANGELA JANE FRANCES SPEAKMAN B.Sc.1st Class Joint (HONS)
Biology & Geology
MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY

31.10.66 - 28.02.03


UPDATE JULY 2006

Dear Friends, I would like to thank all of you who have e-mailed in support of this idea, and sent me such lovely letters and a huge thank-you to all of you who have contributed towards this project. Several e-mails etc., have passed between myself and Dr.Ian Hussein and I'm hoping shortly to have a meeting with him to discuss designs of the base and look at areas in the cemetery where the memorial will eventualy be sited. When I have more news I will update the site. Your support is still very much needed...

Many thanks

Frances Speakman



UPDATE - MEETING WITH DR. HUSSEIN ON THE 3RD OCTOBER 2006

Well it looks like a 'final' location has been decided on for the Memorial Angel to be sited. It will be overlooking the Baby/Child garden nearer to the South Gate than the Main Gate. The Baby/Child garden is a newly created area ( 2003) remembering babies lost through miscarriages, premature & stillbirths also for very young children It's a beautiful area with seating, child sculptures on a 'still' pond..the Memorial Angel will look beautiful here.

They are still waiting for the stonemason to deliver the base.

I copied all my support messages from the webpage for Ian Hussein and Toni Slade (The Conservation Officer) and showed them the beautiful cards and letters I have received in its support, they were really impressed! We discussed how much has been raised and how much more he wants me to raise (at least another £1,000)....

Dr. Hussein has kindly donated to me 20 books which have been recently published about the History of the City of London Cemetery, how it came about and why it was needed. He has said all the money I can make selling these books can go to The Fund!! so who wants to buy a book??

Well thats about it for now, and Thank You all once again for all your help and support....

Love

Frances & Mike xx
_________________



UPDATE: FUNDRAISING LUNCH ON 27TH JANUARY 2007

On Saturday the 27th January 2007 Mike & I held a fundraising lunch at our house. Nearly all the 'guests' were good friends met through the Bereavement Site THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS. The lunch was lovely, with everyone enjoying the delicious food, I also made a very special 'compassionate friends' cake with a golden candle, after this was lit we had a two minutes silence in which we all remembered our precious children.

It was a lovely day, with good friends and raised together, with the raffle, a wonderful sum of over £400 towards this memorial.



UPDATE - APRIL - AUGUST 2007


Dear Friends

Today we held a St. George's Day Coffee Morning, including lots of delicious cakes, in aid of The Angel Memorial fund. We were so lucky the weather held, and were able to sit in the garden. We raised another £110 towards the memorial...

After I have banked this money and some other donations kindly given, Mike and I will be arranging to meet up again with Dr. Ian Hussein, the Cemetery director to find out if I have raised enough for work to start on 'assembling this Memorial'..... and also if enough support from the different sections of the community has been gained to 'satisfy' the various Heritage committees...

Once again A BIG THANK-YOU TO ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

Will be in touch


Just a quick up-date to all TCF friends who have been so generous with all the messages of support and fundraising for this Memorial, since I started my 'quest' 4 years ago, just after we lost our beautiful Angela.

I'm just awaiting written confirmation from Dr. Ian Hussein from The City of London Cemetery & Crematorium, where the Angel Memorial will be sited as to when the work will commence. I had a brief letter from him saying they now have enough support not only from bereaved parents but also from the general public and in light of this and coupled with the monies raised, the Memorial will be erected by the end of 2007.

So as soon as I know 'in more detail' I will post again...

Thanking all of you from the bottom of our hearts...



I received an e-mail today from Toni Slade, one of the Conservation Officers and colleague of Dr. Ian Hussain Director of The City of London Cemetery where the Memorial will be sited, with this photo of the Angel that is to be used for the Memorial..below I copy some of her e-mail....


The good news is that the Angel has been removed from its original position and was taken to our workshops, which was in itself a difficult task because of the age and the fragility of the stone. Our Conservation team then cleaned the lady with our specialised cleaning equipment which is called the JOS/TORC system. This system uses calcium carbonate which is approved by English Heritage.

I have enclosed pic for you to see. I would like to you to see the angel before we progress to the next stage which is ordering the base and foundation for her.

Such good news, Mike & I will shortly be making an appointment to go to see Toni and discuss the next step. Will update the WEBPAGE as soon as I have more news....


JANUARY 2008


Dear Friends & Supporters

I do now have the plans on how the base, plinth and surrounding area will look where the Memorial Angel will be sited. Unfortunately I am unable to copy the plans onto this webpage BUT if anyone would like to contact me at my e-mail address which is Plugstreet@ntlworld.com I would be happy to e-mail these to you. Dr. Ian Hussain and his team from the City of London Cemetery have put a lot of thought into the final design and layout around the Memorial Angel.

It is hoped work will start soon, the foundation base has already been positioned. Will keep you all informed as to progress..


Love to you all


Frances & Mike x



UPDATE AUGUST 2008

Dear Friends..

After a very enjoyable lunch and meeting with Dr. Hussein and his colleagues in July I am very pleased to be able to let you all know the Memorial Angel in in the last stages of completion.

It is now in position on the marble plinth, the inscription has been completed and work is soon to begin on the pathways leading to the Memorial. The cement foundation base will be covered with marble and a small 'rockery type' garden will surround the Memorial. It is hoped the unveiling ceremony will be sometime in the autumn.

This Memorial is for ALL OUR CHILDREN and you are all invited to to the official opening which I will let you know when the date is confirmed, I know many of live to far away and it will not be possible, but if you can make it you will be very welcome to attend.

Once again thank you to everyone for your support, beautiful messages and donations...

Will post again soon.

Love to you all

Frances, Mike & Family..

If anyone would like a photo of how the Memorial is looking now please e-mail me, as unable to put any photo's on this webpage...
We also have a website for our daughter Angela and will be posting, on the section 'Her Legacy' details and photo's of this beautiful Memorial

angelajanespeakmanmemorial.com




UPDATE 19th FEBRUARY 2009

After five long years we now have a date for the 'unveiling of the Angel Memorial' it will be on:

SUNDAY 26TH APRIL 2009 at 1.p.m.

As said before, this Memorial is for all children whatever their age and I do hope as many of you will be able to attend for this ceremony. I hope this beautiful Monument will bring comfort to all bereaved parents who visit the cemetery and the baby garden where it stands watching over them...

Please e-mail me for more details..

Frances & Mike Speakman








PLEASE HELP........ email address Plugstreet@ntlworld.com

I NEED LOTS OF SUPPORT MESSAGES AND E-MAILS TO 'PRESENT' THE CITY OF LONDON CEMETERY DIRECTOR, CORP.OF LONDON AND THE VARIOUS HERTITAGE COMMITTEES THAT THIS INDEED A MEMORIAL THAT IS WANTED BY BEREAVED PARENTS AND ALSO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THESE MESSAGES AND SUPPORT ARE THE 'PREREQUISITE' BEFORE WORK CAN BEGIN ON THIS MEMORIAL......