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.

Photo: Action Images

Ryorry added 18:42 - Nov 3 Well done all those who worked & helped create this.
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Londonblue58 added 19:03 - Nov 3 Good friends of mine have watched the memorial garden take shape in the last few weeks. They had scattered their Dad's ashes on the pitch many years ago so it's meant a lot to them that he will have a this new resting place. I heard that a team from Notcutts planted up the garden with all the trees and plants which we took a look at last weekend before the Plymouth game. Love the fact that one of the plants they seem to have chosen had a label left in - its called Intense Blue!! Those guys know their Town for sure

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Dissboyitfc added 21:29 - Nov 3 My Fathers Ashes were buried at Portman Road, right beside the home dugout, scattering ashes wasn't permitted. I do know he would be very happy to watch this team, his last match was Man U in 2000.
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ArnieM added 22:49 - Nov 3 The Club is at one with the community. Long May that last.
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sotd78 added 00:13 - Nov 4 My dad's ashes were just off the pitch and to the right of the posts looking at Churchmans. Probably right on the spot Colin Harper tore off his shirt and threw it in the pitch in disgust at being sent off. Dad died in 1978 a couple of months after the FA Cup win. He'd have loved the current style of play. Triangles he used to shout. Pass and move. He wasn't far wrong. The club have made a decent effort in looking after all those who have gone before. Well done.

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Bazza8564 added 09:31 - Nov 4 This is excellent and reflects the care and value that the new regime apply to fan's memories and our tradition. Quality once again Mark and board
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superblues9 added 13:48 - Nov 4 Another great move by the club dissboyitfc brilliant game that was to bow out to
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Dissboyitfc added 08:19 - Nov 6 Yes superblues the score said 1-1 but in actual fact we were better than them all over the pitch, I believe that was the game that shaped our season! our time is here again, now going into Norwich, what joy!
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