Louis Watkiss Memorial Garden: Family, friends, classmates and school staff came together to remember a much-missed Sutton student when a ‘stunning’ memorial garden was unveiled in his memory at Plantsbrook School.
The event, on Friday, December 2, saw the Japanese-themed garden unveiled in honour of 12-year-old Louis Watkiss, who was killed in a tragic incident at the SnowDome ski centre last year.
Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell attended the moving event, which was the culmination of months of work by Louis’ classmates, staff at the school, local businesses and the Watkiss family.
His dad, Chris Watkiss, thanked the children, staff and businesses involved in creating the garden for his son.
He said: “I’m over the moon with the garden. I’m very, very touched by it – all my family are.
“The children not only designed the garden, but also rolled up their sleeves and built it, so it was great to see them here today as it was opened.
“Hopefully, in the months and years to come the garden can be a place for reflection, calm and tranquillity where we can remember Louis.”
The garden’s theme reflects Louis’ love of Japanese culture – he had been planning a trip with his family there before he died.
Students fundraised for Louis Watkiss Memorial Garden
To pay for the project, Plantsbrook pupils took part in fundraising activities including a ‘Wear Blue for Louis Day’ – a reference to his support for Chelsea FC – and cake bake sales, raising around £5000 in his memory.
Some of the money was used to pay for materials used in the garden, while the rest was donated to music charities and organisations that had helped Louis flourish as a keen and talented saxophonist.
The garden has two pagodas, an Arbour bench where students can sit and an Acer tree at its heart, which will turn red in warmer months.
In the corner of the Louis Watkiss Memorial Garden is a slate bearing his name in Japanese. His name will soon be laser etched on the slate, along with Japanese cherry blossom.
Speaking during the opening, Plantsbrook headteacher Jason Farr said: “As a school community we experienced great grief over the tragic loss of Louis. This sadness was most deeply felt by his closest friends, his classmates and the year group that he was such an established part of, as well as the staff that worked closely with him during his time here with us.
“Louis was much loved, and his varied talent, his academic ability and his loyal friendship have been greatly missed by the Plantsbrook community.
“To honour Louis’ memory and to create a legacy in his name our students worked collaboratively to embark on leading a project.
“This involved raising funds for charities and music groups that were close to Louis’ heart as well as the funds required to build this Japanese memorial garden we see before us today.
“Their efforts in raising the money and investing the work to build this space have created a place for tranquillity, peacefulness and reflection that our school community can all visit to remember and to contemplate Louis’ life
“I thank every one of our students for their kindness, compassion and empathy.”
At the unveiling, Louis’ classmates read lyrics from a specially commissioned new song by BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Xhosa Cole, local rapper and MC Sanity and saxophonist Camilla George, which the Watkiss family hope to get released as a single, to raise even more funds for the musical charities that helped Louis.
Teacher Sara Goscombe, who co-ordinated the memorial garden project, said: “The students have done everything on this – they have been out in wind and rain for weeks, making it happen.
“The garden is at a key entry to the building, and when we’ve been building it, it’s drawn a real crowd, with those who didn’t know Louis asking very respectful questions. It’s a good way of keeping his memory alive.”
British Garden Centres and Halls Garden Centre advised the school on what best to plant in the garden.
Speaking after the event, Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell said: “I was honoured to take part in the official opening of the memorial garden at Plantsbrook School in memory of Louis Watkiss, whose tragic death last year provoked such an outpouring of sympathy and sadness across the Royal Town.
“This wonderful memorial garden, which was designed along a Japanese theme by Louis’ classmates, was made possible by donations and support from across the community.
“The event was very moving, and saw Louis’ family, along with staff and students from the school, officially unveil this wonderful, peaceful spot where his classmates can sit during quiet moments and remember not only what a great friend he was, but the many things he did during his short life to enrich the lives of others.
“I once again expressed my condolences to the Watkiss family on behalf of the whole of Sutton Coldfield, and my gratitude to the school for what they have done to honour Louis’ memory.”