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Memory garden to remember loved ones at Shropshire hotel
25 Jul 2016
by Kirsty Smallman

A memory garden is to be created in the grounds of a Shropshire hotel so that families can plant a rose to remember their loved ones.

The garden at the Best Western Valley Hotel in Ironbridge will be open all year round for people to visit.

The idea comes after an increase in the number of wakes at the family-owned hotel on the banks of the River Severn.

Sales and marketing manager Lisa Snape said: “Nowadays more people seem to be holding wakes away from the home.

“They are after a quiet and relaxing venue where family and friends can get together, have a drink and share memories and stories about the one they have lost.

“We’ve hosted at least 30 wakes here at the hotel over the last twelve months so we thought it would be nice to create a memory garden and give families the option of having a rose planted to remember those that they have lost.

“The gardens here are beautiful and very tranquil and a perfect setting for families to come back and visit anytime, especially in the summer when the roses are in full bloom. We also overlook Dale End Park which is also beautiful when it is in full bloom and guests at a wake often take themselves off for a walk around the park for some time out during a funeral wake when they are emotional or want time to reflect alone.

“Not everyone feels comfortable visiting a church or cemetery so this will be a nice alternative and a lovely place for children to visit too.”

The garden has been created and the first roses are due to be planted by families in the next few months.

Sarah Perkins, of The Valley, with some of the plants ready for the memory garden.

Sarah Perkins, of The Valley, with some of the plants ready for the memory garden.