Haut du Mont memorial garden to be complete in time for fourth anniversary

A memorial garden in honour of the 10 Islanders who lost their lives in the Pier Road explosion will be complete in time for the fourth anniversary of the tragedy, it has been confirmed.

Haut du Mont residents Peter Bowler (72), Raymie Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64 years), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73 years), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71 years) and 62-year-old Billy Marsden died in the blast on 10 December 2022.

Kathy McGinness (73), who lived in an adjacent block at Haut du Mont, was injured as a result of the explosion and died at the General Hospital on Christmas Day that year.

Each of their families have since been involved in designing a public garden including paths, seating, a children’s area and personal touches such as favourite flowers of their relatives.

A physical memorial will be designed and added at a later stage.

Landscaping began this week and demolition and groundwork will be starting in the coming weeks, with the whole process expected to take around seven months.

The government – which took ownership of the land after being gifted it by Andium Homes – said that the area should be complete in time for the fourth anniversary of the explosion.

Pictured: The Government has said the design will be submitted for planning permission “soon”.

Architect Barry Freeman previously described the plans as “one of the most heartfelt and important things” he has worked on in his 33-year career.

He added: “Working so closely with those who lost loved ones and those who lost their homes has been a privilege, and we have done our best to incorporate all their requests into the final plans.

“I hope the memorial and garden will become a place for all islanders to reflect, remember and heal, whatever they are going through.

“I also hope it will stand as something that will help future generations to learn lessons that may avoid other tragedies.”