Ipswich Town Football Club Garden of Remembrance has been given a ‘Premier League’ makeover
The Ipswich Town Football Club (ITFC) Garden of Remembrance has been given a Premier League makeover.
The Garden of Remembrance has been revitalised by the horticultural team at Notcutts Woodbridge Garden Centre, as the new season kicks off today.
Led by Notcutts plant buyer and lifelong ITFC fan Stuart Andrews, has been enhanced with plant varieties including perovskia and asters, many of which are bright blue and white, as a welcoming showpiece for the thousands of home and away visitors expected at Portman Road stadium this season.
The garden commemorates all those whose ashes had been interred within the original football pitch soil before it was replaced in June 2023.
Jayne Jones, whose son Aiden’s ashes are interred within the garden, explained what the garden means to her and her family: “Our son Aiden was tragically killed in 2009 at the age of 20. He was the kindest, most caring son, brother and amazing friend to many.
“Aiden loved ITFC, he had been a season ticket holder for 14 years, so for us to be able to lay him to rest at Portman Road by the Sir Bobby Robson Stand was incredible because there was no other place that he would have wanted to be.
“I would always go to lay flowers at the spot but having the memorial garden is absolutely fantastic as it’s a place where we can sit for a while and reflect upon our memories.”
Stuart Andrews, plant buyer at Notcutts, said: “The Notcutts Woodbridge team and I have given the Garden of Remembrance a bright refresh so it’s a real show-stopper for the new season.
“It has been an honour to work on this project, as an avid ITFC fan myself, and to see families like Jayne’s who now have a dedicated space at Portman Road stadium to reflect on their loved ones.
“We encourage everyone visiting the stadium to take a peaceful moment in the Garden of Remembrance in honour of the Blues fans no longer with us, who would have loved to see this moment of glory as ITFC return to the Premier League.”
The ITFC Garden of Remembrance is located on the corner of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand and Cobbold Stand. It is open for visitors on matchdays and throughout the week.
