An evening of remembrance is being held in Lower Hatcheston next week for families who have lost children and relatives.

East Anglian Daily Times: Oliver Hayward's dad Guy and his sister Tina Hayward are going to put on a special evening for people who have lost children.Oliver Hayward's dad Guy and his sister Tina Hayward are going to put on a special evening for people who have lost children. (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

The event will be held next Thursday at the Oliver Hayward Playbarn, opened last year by farmer Guy Hayward in memory of his son, Oliver, who died aged 15 months in 2001. In 2011, his daughter, Star, died in her cot when she was 28 days old.

The evening will be led by Mr Hayward’s sister, Tina Hayward, a civil celebrant.

Mr Hayward said: “We will be holding a short remembrance evening for those who have lost a loved one and feel they would like to come along and be amongst people who have gone through similar circumstances.

“Since we have been open, we do occasionally have families in who have experienced or are going through grief and it can be a lonely feeling once things begin to settle down.

“This is about telling people that they are not alone, and it’s a way, personally for me, that I feel the two I lost can help others.

“The evening is designed to be informal. It is not a counselling evening and children are welcome.”

Ms Hayward added: “I regularly take funeral services which involves visiting the bereaved family and creating a service that reflects the life of their loved one - and gives thanks and celebrates their life.

“Of course, grief does not end at the service - but rather it begins. I try to keep in touch with families afterwards and have learnt that many families feel forgotten about after their loss.

“This is why hosting an evening of remembrance for those who have suffered loss can be so comforting and reassuring for them.

“Due to my own brother’s sad loss, he truly understands the need for such a gathering.

“Together we will be hosting an evening that says to others that we do understand and they haven’t been forgotten about.

“It will not be a service as such, but I plan to say a few words of grief and loss and then we will be commemorating and celebrating the lives of our lost loved ones.

“It will be a simple ceremony of thanksgiving with no religious content.”

The event will run from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at a cost of £3 per person, including refreshments.