30th October 2010
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle planting bulbs with Jack Nicholson in memory of his grandad, Brian.
- MKMRF Patron Ian Mcfall pictured with Mesothelioma sufferer Geoff Wind
Each tiny bulb represents the life and spirit of brave asbestos victims.
A total of 6,000 snowdrop were planted in poignant memorial gardens in both Walkerville Community Centre in Newcastle and Woodridge Gardens, Washington,Tyne and Wear.
Each garden had its own moving ceromony, family members wiped away tears as they took part in a two minute silence of remembrance, taking time to reflect.
Young and old each planted a bulb to remember a loved one. These gardens will be the fifth such memorials set up across the region.
Newcastle’s Lord Mayor Brenda Marsh officially opened the Newcastle memorial, which is soon to include a bench. Making the gardens a serene and tranquil place that will give people time to reflect.
The snowdrop signifies new beginnings and hope for a better future.
Planting Memories in Woodridge Gardens
Snowdrop Cake
Widower Ray Turnbull was joined by 50 others for the planting ceremony of the garden at Woodridge Gardens, Columbia, which pays touching tribute to those who have died of the deadly asbestos-related cancer.
More than 3,000 snowdrop bulbs were planted at the site, which will inject a bit of winter cheer for those visiting each year.
Ray launched a support group earlier after his wife Jean died of the disease last year and his mum Jane died in 1979.
Both worked at the notorious Turner and Newall chemical works in Washington.
He said: “I set up a support group earlier this year and we decided we wanted to get some snowdrops because the snowdrop is the national charity’s flower.
“We wanted a place where we could go to remember loved ones and I go there and sit for five minutes and think of my wife.”
The names of lost loved ones are also being recorded in a memorial book, with names being added over the years.
Time for a warm!
“If anybody who dies of mesothelioma they can contact the group, make a small donation and we can plant snowdrops in their memory and include their names in the book,” Ray, 64, said.
“This is the fifth snowdrop memorial garden for the national charity but the first one in Sunderland.”
The support group is hosting a Christmas Fete on Sunday, November 28, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Woodridge Gardens, Oxclose Road.
Entry is free and there will be all the usual stalls.
Call Ray on 415 1460 or 07912 637 386
October 2009
A BLANKET of snowdrops has been planted on both sides of the River Tyne to commemorate those who have died from mesothelioma. In total 10,000 snowdrops planted by Gateshead Council, North Tyneside Council and South Tyneside Council Durham Colliery Mechanics Trust in partnership with MKMRF have created memorial gardens across the region.
The first snowdrops were planted in Workers Memorial Garden
The Snowdrop Memorial Garden’s are dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives to the asbestos related cancer Mesothelioma. Creating lasting tributes bringing hope and promise for a better future. When the bulbs blooms in spring they will be a reminder of the tragic legacy of asbestos, but will also give hope that one day we will find a cure for this terrible disease
Remembering Loved Ones
Cllr Maureen Chaplin and Chris Knighton Planting snowdrops
The Mayor of Gateshead, Maureen Chaplin, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma herself in February 2007, attended the first planting ceremony in the Workers Memorial Garden in Saltwell Park, Gateshead.
Cllr John Harrison Mayor of North Tyneside planting snowdrops in the grounds of Sir G B Hunter Memorial Hospital
The Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, John Harrison supported the second ceremonial planting of snowdrops which took place in the grounds of the Sir GB Memorial Hunter Hospital where MKMRF and the Self help group is based.
Mick Laffey representing Patron Ian McFall read out the names of mesothelioma victims
The third garden is at Lawe Top Roundabout which looks across the River Tyne was a perfect setting for the memorial garden in South Shields. The Mayor and Mayoress Councillor and Mrs Alex Donaldson took part in the ceremony. Snowdrop poems were read out at each ceremony by relatives of loved ones lost to the disease.
The Mayor of South Tyneside help create a memorial garden over the banks of the River Tyne assisted by Mick Laffey and Chris Knighton
Councillor Maureen Chaplin sadly died 11th February 2009 our heartfelt condolences go to her husband, Bob and family
