Rankin Memorial Garden service
A service of remembrance will take place at Rankin Memorial Garden this weekend.
The garden at Greenock Crematorium offers a quiet space for families to remember babies who have passed away.
Improvements have taken place as part of an overall plan of work at Greenock Crematorium and following storm damage at the garden earlier this year.
Staff from Inverclyde Council worked with trainees and staff from Inverclyde Community Development Trust to repair the path, dig out old shrubs and replace them with miniature roses, and place bark around the flower beds.
The annual service of remembrance will take place this Sunday 18 May at 2pm inside Greenock Crematorium and thereafter at the garden.
This hasn’t taken place for a number of years due to Covid-19 and the ongoing improvement work at the Crematorium and grounds.
Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, Councillor Michael McCormick, said: “The Rankin Memorial Garden is looking great again and I’d like to pass on my thanks to council staff who have worked with the Trust on this important and meaningful project.
“The annual service of remembrance gives all people affected by the death of a baby the chance to take the time and remember them.
“It’s an informal service and I hope it helps bring some comfort to bereaved families.”
Ross Ahlfeld, CEO of Inverclyde Community Development Trust said the work on the garden helped give their trainees the chance to learn new skills.
He said: “Our trainees and supervisors have done a really great job helping to tidying up this very special place, which is extremely important to so many people in our community. The garden took a real battering during the storms back in January, so it’s nice to see it looking good again.
“The Trust would like to thank the team at Greenock Cemetery for inviting us to get involved in this project and also helping our trainees and supervisors with materials and training.
“The Trust’s Environmental Works project is funded by Inverclyde Council and delivered by The Trust on behalf of Inverclyde Council. It is a brilliant programme and are currently planning and scheduling a number of new improvements across Inverclyde for the year ahead.”
Sunday’s service will be led by Reverend Jeanette Peel, chaplain at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Reverend Gerry Gallagher, of St Patrick’s RC Church, and Midwife Lesleyanne Lang.