A new sculpture has been unveiled in the churchyard of St Laurence's Church in Alvechurch during Baby Loss Awareness Week as a memorial to children who died too soon. Churchwarden, Graham Clark writes:
In the southeast corner of St Laurence’s churchyard there are several graves where still-born or neo-natal babies are buried. Some of these graves are unmarked and date back to the days when such infants were not offered a “proper” funeral. The children involved are all but forgotten by the community. Remembered only by their parents and families.
This aberration has long been a source of sorrow for members of St Laurence and this year we have been able to do something about it. An on-going project has been started to go some way to right the wrong of the past. The work is being funded by specific donations from members of the church and local community.
The undergrowth has been cleared away from the graves and the overhanging tree branches will shortly be cut back. A memorial stone is being donated by A Pullen’s Memorials to be installed by the graves.
Just by this area there used to be a magnificent cherry tree which delighted the eyes every spring with its blossom. Sadly that lost a great limb in a storm a few years back and the stump has been sitting waiting for someone to think what to do with it.
Putting these two things together, the church commissioned local sculptor Andy DeComyn to create something appropriate (Andy also created the serpent in The Meadows and the sculptures in Finn’s Garden). The result is the beautiful angel which you can now see as you walk by. The Angel of Love was unveiled by Revd Gail Rogers and Andy after a short service on Sunday 9 October, the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week.
It is hoped that this will act as a focal point and a place of commemoration and memorial for all whose lives have been affected by the loss of an infant, whether they be in our churchyard or not.
