30th Anniversary of Garden of Remembrance
Published: 13 September 2025
The Garden of Remembrance in South Woodham Ferrers was rededicated in a moving ceremony marking its 30th anniversary. The event was led by the Mayor of South Woodham Ferrers, Cllr Shearring, and Deputy Mayor Cllr Kelly, joined by members of the public and invited guests.
Among those in attendance were the Reverend J King of Trinity St Mary’s, who led the rededication, the High Sheriff of Essex Julie Fosh, the Mayor and Mayoress of Chelmsford, the Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP, and Cllr Massey representing Essex County Council.
To commemorate the occasion, Cllr Shearring unveiled a new plaque celebrating three decades of remembrance and reflection. The Town Council was honoured with a community service award presented by the High Sheriff of Essex, recognising its ongoing dedication to local wellbeing.
The ceremony also saw the unveiling of the new Letters to Heaven post box—a quiet and heartfelt addition to the gardens, offering visitors a symbolic way to stay connected with loved ones who have passed.
Our new Letters to Heaven Postbox has been unveiled at the Sensory Garden at the Garden of Remembrance, Burnham Road, South Woodham Ferrers, by the Mayor Cllr Shearring and Deputy Mayor Cllr Kelly.
This special post box offers a quiet space for reflection, remembrance, and emotional expression. Visitors are warmly invited to write letters, notes, or drawings to loved ones they miss, and gently post them as part of their personal journey through grief and healing.
Whether marking an anniversary, sharing a cherished memory, or simply saying “I love you,” the act of writing can be deeply comforting. The post box is emptied regularly, but the contents are never read. Messages remain private and sacred, and are respectfully returned to the earth.
We kindly ask that only letters and cards are placed into the box.
We hope this small addition brings comfort to those who visit, and helps keep cherished memories alive in a peaceful and respectful way.
