Morning! It's been a hectic [in a good way] few days and am grateful for a day off today to catch up with myself. Amongst all the people and clamour there was a moment of much needed and appreciated stillness.
Much to my amazement [and all my other local friends and family I've asked since] there is a small arboretum tucked away quietly in the village two miles up the road from me. It really is hidden in plain sight. There's no signs to it and very little on the internet, but it's known to and enjoyed by the locals.
Planted in 1998 it is there to perpetuate the memories of Julia and her young daughter who were tragically killed by the Flowers Gang in South Africa in 1996.
Nineteen years on it's flourishing and you can feel the calmness emanating from the trees and shrubs as you go through the gate. Julia loved the view of the village green and the Downs in the distance and its location captures this perfectly.
The family have set up a charity to educate the public about plants.
I think it will definitely merit a return visit in a few weeks time once things have moved on a bit.
Arilx
Much to my amazement [and all my other local friends and family I've asked since] there is a small arboretum tucked away quietly in the village two miles up the road from me. It really is hidden in plain sight. There's no signs to it and very little on the internet, but it's known to and enjoyed by the locals.
Planted in 1998 it is there to perpetuate the memories of Julia and her young daughter who were tragically killed by the Flowers Gang in South Africa in 1996.
Nineteen years on it's flourishing and you can feel the calmness emanating from the trees and shrubs as you go through the gate. Julia loved the view of the village green and the Downs in the distance and its location captures this perfectly.
The family have set up a charity to educate the public about plants.
I think it will definitely merit a return visit in a few weeks time once things have moved on a bit.
Arilx
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Such a beautiful place in memory of lost lives. I've just read their story online ... Emma was only two years old ... heartbreaking x
ReplyDeleteI think the family are amazing to have created such a sanctuary out of such a senseless and barbaric act too.
DeleteArilx
Sad. However, this is a too oft occurrence. One of the reasons we left my beloved homeland. A beautiful memorial - a positive sanctuary out of such horror.
ReplyDeleteIt has given the family a channel for their grief. Just so very sad.
DeleteArilx