A secluded piece of woodland in West Baldwin was officially opened at the weekend to provide somewhere for bereaved parents to remember their dead children.
The Sleeping Angels’ Wood is at Colden Forest and will provide somewhere for parents to plant a tree in memory of their children.
The project was instigated by Tori Smithies, whose son Charles was stillborn in 1996 and who miscarried twins 12 years later.
She said: ‘Sleeping Angels’ Wood is a place that recognises every tiny soul that didn’t make it for whatever reason and somewhere families can go, knowing everyone they see is living with the same pain.
She said many parents did not have a grave where they could remember, and added she hoped it would break the taboo associated with child mortality and also that it would mean parents did not have to hide grief behind closed doors.
Ms Smithies had the idea for the wood after helping out with the Isle of Man Woodland Trust and speaking to a family about the comfort they gained from visiting a tree planted in a person’s memory.
The Sleeping Angels’ Wood group, which she set up, engaged in significant fund raising to pay for trees and commemorative plaques.
David Cretney MLC, the member of DEFA with responsibility for forestry, jointly opened the woodland with Ms Smithies.
He said he was delighted to help develop such a wonderful opportunity for families to remember, reflect and relax in such a beautiful setting.
‘Tori and her fellow volunteers have been the driving force and have converted their tragedies into something positive to assist other bereaved parents,’ he said.
Source IOM Today
