Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury baby ashes scandal: Memorial idea for bereaved parents

An Oswestry firm has offered its help to bereaved parents affected by the Shrewsbury baby ashes scandal.

Published
The idea for a memorial bench

It saw more than 60 families denied ashes after the cremation of their children at Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury.

Work has started on building a permanent memorial to the children and it is hoped that memorial could be placed in Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park.

The scandal saw the formation of the Action for Ashes campaign group and representatives of the group travelled to the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry to speak to bosses who have offered their assistance.

Parents, Glen and Louise Perkins meet with Clive Knowles from the British Ironwork Centre

Clive Knowles from the ironwork centre said: “We reached out and offered to at least give them some basic design help, in creating a concept or favourable design for a memorial or focal point.

“We met again with Action for Ashes this weekend, having worked on many ideas, to see if we could find something they’d feel happy with.

“The hand drawing by Graham Andrews shows an angel sat in the middle of two sitting platforms.

“The idea was for the parents of the child, to be comforted by the angel, being each wrapped in a wing of feathers.

“If eventually the parents want us to create this we will, but they will also be introduced to or recommended to others.

“There are several companies that would equally be able to offer the finished work, to an excellent standard.

“We will be offering help and support if needed or whenever asked.”

Mr Knowles added: “For our part, we understand there’s little any group can do, without an idea and the visual artistry to support the vision.

“I hope that we can help by creating a fundraising point, not just at the British Ironworks, but also elsewhere too.”