A woman who tragically lost her daughter six years ago has unveiled a memorial in a local beauty spot on the eve of her daughter’s sixth birthday. ??Sally Parkinson recently visited Llanfoist Cemetery where her daughter rests, to dedicate a bench and memory tree in memoriam.

Sally said the monuments not only honour her daughter’s memory, but offers a place for others affected by such circumstances to reflect. ??“We are no longer able to place mementos or other adornments on the graves,” said Sally.

“The memory tree will hopefully be a place where grieving parents can hang keepsakes and tokens at Christmas and birthdays.

“The bench is lovely and has a plaque which reads: “For all the little stars. Forever shining brightly. Always loved, never forgotten.”

Sally, who has volunteered for SANDS, the stillborn and neonatal death charity, also thanked the cemeteries department of the council, the Sexton of Llanfoist Cemetery and the gardeners.

“They were all wonderfully helpful in arranging the placement of the tree, and bench — which faces the Blorenge.”

Sally also attends and co-runs two support groups: Valley SANDS in Ebbw Vale at the Learning Action Centre 7-9pm on the first Thursday of each month. And Monmouthshire SANDS in Monmouth at the Bridges Community Centre 8-10pm on the second Wednesday of each month.