The Garden

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The Garden

So far, over £12,000 has been donated by friends and some very kind people

from around the world who read Sarah's article

This money went to help Cheyne Day Centre create a sensory garden for Ellie's friends

The Garden was finally opened by Sarah on 22nd April 2002

Thank you all for your gift to improve the quality of life for some very special children

Here's the picture from the Independent Newspaper. More pictures follow...

Here again is the poem that was written for Ellie, after her death,

by the Poet in Residence at the Cheyne Day Centre - Philip Wells

Ellie Whispers

My wide blue eyes can see you now

as you still to the music of the garden.

I have heard and seen

so many secret things.

I have opened all the windows and doors

in the palace of listening.

I have heard everything.

You talk of me so much,

as you always did, knowing

who and what I was.

Together we have sown the seed

for listening in the gardens.

See what the whispers have already done!

You have seen in the settling

The mountains start to move.

Thank you for trusting me to teach you,

for looking with unseeing eyes

into the meaning of my sighs

in the fluting of the leaves.

Thank you for not rushing by,

for turning your ear to the cheer of the wind

and the tremble of a silver globe of rain

in the tremor of a breeze.

I am the blossom of all who listen.

I can see the little lamplighters

and the whisperers of the way.

I am with you.

Everything will happen

in the music of the garden

Philip Wells March 2000

Many people who's lives have moved on

returned specially to share in the Opening of the Sensory Garden.

New children have arrived since Ellie died, but they're still her special friends

The children, staff and parents of Cheyne Day Centre at the opening of the new garden

And the band played on with Hugo holding on - to what?

The "Egg"! The new sensory fountain being admired by Barbara and parents and children

Theo (on the left) and Erjon enjoying a joke.... Peter!

Alice laughing at all the noise with Becky

Sanaa having a quiet moment with Sheena

Theo getting ready to play with the "Egg" with Fiona

Theo, being held by his mum, with Fiona looking on, really loved the "Egg"

And he's still loving it

Gwilym playing with and listening to the new chimes with Tracy

John and mum having a quiet moment, with Debbie looking on

Mariana came back specially for the opening of the Garden

And the little girl who made it possible..... our Ellie