The Angel of Love

A place of remembrance for those gone too soon

In the southeast corner of St Laurence Churchyard lies a quiet space where several stillborn and neo-natal babies were buried—some in unmarked graves. These children were laid to rest at a time when full funeral rites were often not offered, and when such losses were rarely spoken about publicly. The pain carried by parents and families has, for many years, gone largely unseen by the wider community.

This sorrow has long been felt by members of St Laurence Church. In 2022, during Baby Loss Awareness Week, we began a project to create a place of memorial and healing in this part of the churchyard—one that would honour the lives of those children, however short, and give space for grief and remembrance.

A Longing to Remember

This sacred space has been shaped through generosity and care:

Undergrowth has been cleared and the overhanging trees are being
cut back to make the area more open and inviting.
A memorial stone has been installed—donated by A. Pullen
Memorials, to whom we offer heartfelt thanks.
A once-storm-damaged cherry tree stump has now been
transformed into something beautiful and life-giving.

The Sculpture

From the stump of that old cherry tree, local sculptor Andy DeComyn

created The Angel of Love. Carved in place and unveiled on Sunday 9th

October 2022, at the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week, the angel now stands as a sign of remembrance, tenderness, and enduring love.

Andy is also the artist behind other well-known local works, including the serpent sculpture in The Meadows and the pieces in Finn’s Garden. We are deeply grateful for his artistry and sensitivity in creating this unique memorial.

The Angel of Love was funded by the generosity of donations from people at St Laurence Church.