A QUIET Garden is set to open at Knuzden’s St Oswald’s Church in memory of a much-loved local man Iain Hill.

Former Our Lady and St John pupil, Iain was only 23 years old when he died suddenly at his Blackburn home on May 24, 2011.

Scores of friends and family attended the funeral and the idea of a permanent memorial was born.

Iain’s aunt, Alison Critchley, said: “For a long time we had wanted a quiet garden at St Oswald’s and I got talking to some of his friends at the funeral.

“There were so many people there, I thought it would be a good thing for the community and would bring everyone together.

“I asked Iain’s friends if they would help out if I managed to get the funding together and they were all really keen on the idea.”

The Quiet Garden movement encourages the provision of a variety of local gardens to provide the opportunity for people to set aside time to rest, think, pray or meditate.

Quiet Gardens have been created at private homes churches, inner city areas and prisons.

Alison has been involved with the church for nine years and is looking forward to the official launch of the garden on August 18.

“The garden will be a place for people to go to relax, think, read, chat, whatever. It doesn’t really matter what they do, it’s about giving people a space to be themselves,” she said.

“Everyone has been so helpful and lots of Iain’s friends and family have been involved in digging and planting the flowers. Other church members have asked if they could plant roses in memory of a loved one and we are happy to accomodate that.

“It will be a beautiful garden, full of memories for all the community to share.”