x

Memorial Garden to Open Ahead of Swansea Match - Ipswich Town News

The memorial garden at the corner of the Sir Alf Ramsey and Cobbold Stands is to officially open on Saturday 11th November ahead of the game against Swansea City.

The extensive work to the pitch which took place over the summer meant the ashes of fans interred at Portman Road were relocated to the new garden, which will act as an area where supporters can remember lost loved ones. It will be open for visitors both on matchdays and during the week.

The official opening will take place a week on Saturday with a private service for the families of those whose ashes were moved conducted by club chaplain, Reverend Canon Kevan McCormack.

Relatives will have the opportunity to lay individual flowers in memory of their loved ones, while the names of those now interred in the memorial garden will be engraved onto its planters in the weeks to come.

Following the service and a period of private reflection for relatives, fans are invited to visit the garden from 1pm.

"The memorial garden at Portman Road has been an important project for the football club over the last few months and we are delighted to be able to officially open it next weekend,” CEO Mark Ashton told the club site.

"The design is a beautiful one and something we can be very proud of as a club, so we are looking forward to welcoming the families of those whose ashes were previously interred at the stadium for next weekend’s service.”

Poppy wreaths will be laid in the garden ahead of the game with Swansea, which is Town’s dedicated Remembrance fixture.

Once the garden is open, the club will offer supporters the chance to purchase engraved bricks within it featuring the names of loved ones they wish to remember.

What to read next:

Humphreys Voted Wycombe Supporters' Player of the Season
On-loan Blues midfielder Cameron Humphreys has been voted the Wycombe Wanderers Supporters' Player of the Season.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Upson's Late Stunner Secures Promotion For Skuse's Bury
Former Blues midfielder Cole Skuse’s Bury Town secured promotion from the Isthmian League North Division via a dramatic 93rd-minute goal from another ex-Portman Road man, Ed Upson, as they beat Brightlingsea Regent 1-0 in the play-off final yesterday afternoon.
Moyes: We Never Shook Ipswich Off
Everton boss David Moyes admitted that the Toffees “never shook Ipswich off” during this afternoon’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
TWTV Video Verdict - Everton
The TWTV team reflect on the Blues’ spirited 2-2 draw with Everton in Goodison Park’s penultimate game and speak to Toffees fan Nick Durbin, AKA Mister Drone, about the emotional move and take a look at the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Everton 2-2 Ipswich Town - Highlights
Highlights of today’s 2-2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.
Hirst: Never-Say-Die Attitude Part of Our Culture
Town striker George Hirst felt the Blues were deserving of their point following the 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
McKenna: It Was Certainly a Difficult Spot
Blues boss Kieran McKenna admitted his side were in a difficult spot at 2-0 down and was delighted that they showed the character to stick at it and claim a 2-2 draw with Everton in Goodison Park’s penultimate fixture.
Everton 2-2 Ipswich Town - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Everton 2-2 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Julio Enciso hit a superb strike from 30 yards and George Hirst nodded home at the back post as Town came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park. Beto gave the Toffees the lead with a header in the 26th minute, then Dwight McNeil made it two nine minutes later from distance with the Merseysiders appearing to be cruising to victory until Enciso smashed in his second goal for Town on 41 and sub Hirst equalised 11 minutes from time to take what in the end was a deserved point for the Blues.