Flowers and tributes banned from Telscombe Memory Garden

Wayne Botting said he had been contacted by residents who were "up in arms" after a letter was sent out by Telscombe Town Council.

The 50-year-old, who was the town's mayor between 2014 and 2016, built and funded the memorial garden at the top of Chatsworth Park.

His aim was to create a space where people could remember a partner, child, friend or pet with a plaque placed on a series of wooden posts arranged in a semi-circle.

"It's about personality, and the council are taking that personality away," he said.

Wayne Botting making the Telscombe Memory Garden

"It was created in 2019. I fundraised and gave my mayoral allowance up to make the garden.

"I wanted to do something, from me, to thank the community for their support. I built it in my own time.

"I call it a memory garden so it could be all about the people, or animals, or even just a memory.

"It's really great to see a lot of plaques up there now - it's beautiful."

But, given the intended purpose of the gardens, he could not believe the decision to ban the leaving of mementos at the site.

The Telscombe Memory Garden Credit: Dan Moon

"It's disgraceful," Mr Botting said. "It goes against the whole ethos of the garden - for people to be able to place a plaque on one of the posts, plant a plant in the central garden and remember someone close to them.

"I don't get the logic behind the decision. It's upsetting the community members who have lost a loved one. I think the council is forgetting what the memory garden is all about."

The letter sent out by Telscombe Town Council, which details its policy towards the site, came after "an inspection of the memory garden following receipt of a complaint".

The Telscombe Memory Garden Credit: Dan Moon

The letter read: "Telscombe Town Council do not allow mementos such as wreaths, statues or soft toys to be placed at a memorial for safety reasons.

"The town council will remove such items and attempt to contact the donor for collection of the memento.

"Items will be stored for 28 days and disposed of if the town council receive no further notification from the donor.

"We are therefore writing to ask that if you have left any items by your memorial plaque you kindly arrange for their removal by Friday, February 26.

The Telscombe Memory Garden Credit: Dan Moon

"If anything is left after that date, we will arrange for its removal in accordance with our policy."

But Mr Botting said he understood that there could be concerns over the upkeep of the site, but proposed possible solutions for these.

He said: "The community is heartbroken. I have had a lot of people get in touch about this.

"I understand having stuff on the floor might make it harder to mow, but rather than take a negative approach, why not fundraise for metal vases for flowers which could be attached to the posts?"

He also suggested a "green bin" was added nearby, with an understood agreement that flowers which had passed their best could be composted.

"The garden should be supported by the council to the fullest," Mr Botting said.

"You can see from the reaction on Facebook to this letter that people support this.

"They have got everybody's backs up instead of consulting with people first."