One of the most poignant additions to the Hospice garden has been the Stream of Memories.

This ribbon of water provides an attractive year-round focal point for patients, visitors and staff, but it has also become an important feature for those remembering loved ones.

Those attending our bereavement events have been invited to decorate a pebble in memory of their loved one, before placing it in the stream.

“I heard about the Stream of Memories and thought it was such a lovely idea,” said Sam Phillips, whose wife, Thelma, died last year having been cared for by the Hospice at Home team.

“It allowed me to provide a simple yet permanent memory to Thelma.

“It’s just lovely to think that there’s something in the Hospice gardens, in that stream, that will be forever Thelma.

“I can think of that water rippling over her 24 hours a day, as though it’s my memory constantly rippling over her.

“It’s very poignant, but not in any way ostentatious.”

Sam brought his granddaughter along with him to St Michael’s to a bereavement event, and they each produced a pebble to reflect and remember Thelma, with Sam’s design focusing on his wife’s proud Welsh roots.

Thelma’s link to St Michael’s Hospice goes back many years. 

“She helped set-up a support group in Ross-on-Wye to raise money for the construction of St Michael’s, and was lucky enough to meet Princess Alexandra at the Hospice when it was opened in 1984,” added Sam. 

Thelma died on 5 September, 2021.

She had been cared for by the Hospice at Home team, and Sam says he can’t praise them highly enough.

“They’re just angels,” he said. “I’m lost for words at how wonderful they are. We were all so grateful.”