Baby Memorial Garden within London Road Cemetery, Thatcham

In 2017 West Berkshire SANDS Group (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) approached Thatcham Town Council on behalf of the many local parents of lost children, to create this garden, as many parents in Thatcham do not have an area dedicated to their own loved ones to visit and so a public space, open to everyone, is greatly needed. Fundraising began in earnest but unfortunately stalled with the closure of the local SANDS group, followed by COVID. Thatcham Town Council is endeavouring to complete the project for those who so generously donated.

Mayor of Thatcham, Councillor Mark Lillycrop said “I’m very pleased that we’re taking the opportunity to raise funds to complete the work inspired by SANDS before COVID. It’s so important to have an area like this for peaceful reflection in the Cemetery, and I look forward to seeing it open to visitors in due course.”

The garden will include a Memorial Bay to the left of the current ‘baby section’ and a Memorial Garden to the right, with each area being enclosed by laurel hedging. They will each include wooden benches, sympathetic planting and the garden will include a statue providing a place for plaques to be added. We have received an extremely generous grant from the Peter Baker Foundation along with a matched funding offer of up to £5,000 from Greenham Trust! This is such wonderful news as every penny of public donations up to £5,000, donated to this project via The Good Exchange, will be matched.

To everyone who has already donated, and those who make a donation, thank you so very much, it is so appreciated, not just by Thatcham Town Council, but also by the many families who will find some comfort in this very special place.

You can keep up to date with our fundraising through this link: (https://app.thegoodexchange.com/project/20316/thatcham-town-council-applicant/baby-memorial-garden-at-london-road-cemetery-thatcham) and regular updates will posted here and on social media channels.

Follow Thatcham Town Council:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThatchamTC
• X: @ThatchamTC
• Instagram: @ThatchamTC