Woodland trees planted in tender tribute to precious babies and children
The winter sun bathed Billy Neill Country Park as bereaved parents from the South Eastern Trust’s Forget Me Not Focus Group came together for their annual woodland memorial tree planting.
The occasion, in honour of families’ precious babies and children who have passed away, is now in its fourth year.
Families can visit the peaceful area, where a dedicated, elevated plot overlooks a tranquil lake, providing a setting for reflection and remembrance.
Planting a Maple tree for their baby boy Archie, parents Megan and Ben Alexander shared how he was born on June 3, 2024 and passed away when he was 12 days old.
Megan spoke poignantly of why the family chose a Maple tree. “Archie didn’t get to experience Autumn, we thought by choosing a Maple tree it was our way of letting our son experience the changing colours of Autumn,” said Megan.
“For me, I am a big supporter of any groups that are going to support parents that are bereaved.”
Ben added: “For us, it is nice to have a place to go that isn’t necessarily Archie’s grave, this is somewhere different and somewhere that is full of life. To have a tree in a space like this is something that we have been looking for.”
Ashleigh and Luke McCartney shared how they learned they had lost their little boy Lochlann during Ashleigh’s 20-week scan.
Ashleigh said: “Lochlann was born on the December 22, 2024. We picked a Scots pine tree to plant as it reminds us of Christmas time and that was when we lost Lochlann. The fact that it stays green all year round is really lovely.
“This is a special place for us and we come here all the time with our Golden Labrador. We hope to come here in the future, to have picnics together and think of Lochlann.”
Speaking on behalf of the Forget Me Not Focus Group, Kelly Barnes explained how she was planting, ‘Little hearts of love’, names of the babies and children who have died beneath the branches of the Forget Me Not tree.
“Our parents have put the names of their babies on heart shaped pieces of card for planting following on from our memorial service last month,” she explained.
"We discovered that my son Noah, at just under 21 weeks, did not have a heartbeat on October 19, 2020.
“Noah doesn’t have a grave, he was cremated and this is his little mark on earth.
“The fact the trees are all together is very nice, there are trees here for some of the Midwives, in their honour too. So in a way, they, the Midwives are looking after the babies.”
South Eastern Trust, Bereavement Midwife, Jacqueline Dorrian described how the morning was a chance for “parents to be together in a peaceful, tranquil setting.”
She added: “Parents planting these trees in honour of their baby’s memory is a symbol of love and love grows here.
"These trees will be here when we are not, they are a lasting legacy and our tree planting will continue for many years.
"We want to thank Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for their assistance and Rural Coffee who opened their kiosk especially for us to offer complimentary tea, coffee and a sweet treat for our parents.”