EXCLUSIVE: Work begins to replace baby loss memorial tree after vandalism

Clyde 1 News has exclusively heard that plans to replace a baby loss memorial tree in the east end of Glasgow 'mean the world' to bereaved local parents.

A special ornate park bench and tree sculpture installed by SiMBA near Provan Hall in Easterhouse was removed in 2020, after being severely damaged.

It is understood a group of youths set fire to the benches and ripped off the copper leaves which featured engravings of the names of babies who had passed away.

Four years on, the community is celebrating as work begins to reinstate the 'Tree of Tranquility'.

The site has moved slightly inside the grounds of Provan Hall, which is one of the oldest houses in Glasgow.

'It was like losing him all over again'

Susan Begley Roy is a local mother who has miscarried six times in her life - but had a leaf dedicated to her son Sean.

She said discovering her son's memorial leaf had been damaged was heartbreaking: "It was like someone sticking a knife through your heart. It was like losing him all over again and it was horrendous.

"When he died, I didn't get a birth or death certificate, I didn't get a burial, I got zilch.

"Seeing his name up there means the world to me. It's almost like my burial and I'm seeing him with all his wee pals.

"He'd be a big grown man now, but I always will remember him as a baby and it means the world to me to see the tree replaced."

'Scott's on my mind every single day'

Ellen Cassidy says the space is important for grieving parents, no matter how long has elapsed since losing their baby: "It doesn't matter how many years its been, it's been 22 years for me.

"Everyday you think about your child - Scott's on my mind every single day.

"You wonder what he'd be doing now at age 22, would he be in university or in an apprenticeship? Would he play guitar like his dad or sing like me? Who knows.

"It was a nice space to come when you were having a bad day, to focus on the tree in a tranquil space."

'Honouring baby loss'

Local business, All Nu Landscapes is completing the work free of charge after discovering how important the site was to bereaved parents.

Owner Colin Brown said: "We're carrying out the landscaping and we're turning it from a grassy pit into something beautiful.

"It's very important - it's in my community and when SiMBA approached us, it was a straight yes.

"I didn't know much about it, and since we started speaking to the charity the amount of people who've gotten in touch with me, it's really opened my eyes to baby loss.

"It's definitely something I'm proud to be part of."

Various local suppliers have also contributed materials to ensure the project is completed at a low cost, including MKM Airdrie building supplies, Global Stone, Ultrascape and MKM toolhire Glasgow.

Vanessa Rhazali from SiMBA said the tree is all about honouring baby loss, and that it is for also parents who sadly lost their baby years ago and were perhaps provided with little or no recognition of their baby’s existence.

She told Clyde 1 News it's great to see the project finally underway.

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