LCCC Officially Open Memorial Garden

Leicestershire County Cricket Club can announce the opening of its new onsite memorial garden, which will function as a tranquil setting for Members to visit, reflect and remember their loved ones.

The space was officially opened last Friday (13 May), during the luncheon interval in the Club’s County Championship fixture versus Sussex, with the dedication performed by the Bishop of Leicester, the Right Revd. Martyn Snow, who blessed the garden through drops of holy water held in a Leicestershire CCC helmet.

Representatives from a diverse range of faiths were present to contribute their blessings, while Leicestershire CEO, Sean Jarvis, High Sheriff of Leicester, Mehmooda Duke, and several local MPs were also in attendance.

LCCC Under 18’s and Women’s all-rounder, Lucy Weston, helped commemorate the occasion by performing the reading of a poem about loss entitled ‘The Unbroken’.

Located to the right after entering through the Curzon Road gates, the Garden has been under construction since October 2021, and runs half of the length of the car park towards the Foxes Den, featuring reflection benches and a war memorial.

Many of the materials used in the project’s creation were recycled, with Mark Smith, Groundsman at Leicestershire CCC, leading the development’s design and implementation process.

Commenting on the development, Smith said: “I decided to try and recycle as much as I could to keep the design easy to maintain whilst looking effective.

“All of the wooden raised bedding along the garden was from recycled old timbers, which would have otherwise ended up in the skip.

“I also thought it was appropriate to add an ‘unknown soldier’ silhouette and cross so that people could reflect on those lost to war. I am hopeful the thousands of poppy seeds scattered around the display will show later in the year in time for Remembrance Day.”

Speaking about the Garden’s opening, LCCC CEO, Sean Jarvis, said: “We are delighted to unveil our Memorial Garden, as a space for our Members and supporters to quietly reflect on their loved ones.

“It was a special occasion and we were honoured that so many multi-faith representatives were in attendance to offer their blessings.

“The Garden has been planned for a while, and it was extremely pleasing to see the space’s transformation over the winter months. We look forward to further enhancing the Garden in the future.”

Additional plans to evolve the dedicated reflective space include adding a Celebration of Life tree, which will allow supporters to place plaques in remembrance of their loved ones.

Members and supporters can visit the Garden at any time to reflect, while the Club are still welcoming families to scatter ashes at the ground.

All requests for the scattering of ashes or the addition of a plaque can be made by contacting Interim Stadium Manager, Dan Archer, via email - danarcher@leicestershireccc.co.uk.