Third Anniversary Event
Garden of Reflection - Maynard School - Exeter
Daphne West organised another time of remembrance in the Garden Of Reflection at the Maynard School where Emily Webster was a pupil. Other pupils and the Headmistress, Daphne, were also injured in the crash.
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Daphne writes:
“As well as the people who came last year, some of Emily’s friends came for the first time. Below you can read how we started the gathering, then Peter Webster read a piece on “Love” and Jill spoke very movingly and interestingly about the vigil at Ufton Nervet on Tuesday evening. The Garden was looking particularly beautiful today, with all its autumn colours. Poignantly, flowers and a photograph had already been hung in “Emily’s tree” when we arrived at school this morning. We did try to light some candles, but in the end the wind overcame them. In fact, we were all glad of a nice warm school building and refreshments afterwards.”
Reflections for Saturday 10 November 2007
A gathering at The Maynard School, Exeter, to mark the third anniversary of the Ufton Nervet train crash
On Tuesday 6 November 2007, many gathered to hold a vigil at Ufton Nervet, and many who were not able to be there in person, were there in spirit. This was a particularly poignant vigil, coming as it did so soon after the end of the Inquest.
This was one of the messages sent out in advance of Tuesday’s vigil, which I think will strike a chord for many of us:
“3 years ago we embarked on a journey together, tragically some of us never made it home. 3 years on we're still looking for an end to our personal journeys, trying to find our way back. One day, one by one we will be able to make peace with the terrible memories of that night, and reach our journeys’ end. Until that time together, united, each year that passes, each remembrance lights the way and reminds us that we are no longer in the dark, no longer cold, no longer alone.
Strangers have become friends. Even those we never had the chance, the honour to meet, hold a place in our hearts that is unique and never to be forgotten. It is shared by many, each year, at this time, at this place. We share a bittersweet bond. Strangers have become friends and we will never forget.”
The poem from the grounds of Snowhill Manor, near Stow-on-the-Wold was once again used at the vigil:
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At this remembrance season, in a moment of silence, we pray now for the passengers who died, and for those near them in life:
- Emily Webster, from Moretonhampstead, a pupil at The Maynard
- Louella Main, from Newbury
- Anjanette Rossi, Louella’s mother
- Stan Martin, driver of the train
- Barry Strevens, from Wells
- Leslie “Charlie” Matthews from Warminster
We pray for all whose memory remains troubled by the events of 6 November 2004 and we are thankful for the chance to meet together today, for the opportunity to support one another. We remember with gratitude all who have helped and supported those of us involved in the crash over the last three years. We think of the bereaved and of the strength they have shown over the last three years, and particularly recently during the Inquest. We think of those survivors who are still going through difficult times as a result of the crash, and for those who also face additional trauma now – remembering especially Harriet, dealing with her grief after the murder in Italy of her school friend, Meredith Kercher. We think too of Father Jonathan Graves whose bypass operation was postponed at the last minute this week because a theatre nurse had been involved in a road accident.
May we all draw strength from the knowledge that as we stand here in the Garden of Reflection, many at the Ufton Nervet vigil are thinking of us, and, once again, we have had kind messages: from Eleanor Brooks, Headteacher at the school attended by Louella and from Liz Capewell, who has continued to give so generously of her time to co-ordinate the network of survivors.
The Garden of Reflection is two years old now and it becomes more beautiful from year to year, from season to season. It gives the school community, and all who visit it, a place of calm and peacefulness – in the words of John Keats, which we used two years ago at the Garden’s dedication:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever;
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health,
And quiet breathing.
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