Gone, but not forgotten

On Wednesday 30 September, Medway Mail Centre opened their Memorial Garden in the grounds of the plant to remember the 14 colleagues who have died since the unit opened in 2012.

The idea for the memorial came from work area manager, Larry Fagg, and the Medway Community team, who held a number of charity events earlier this year to raise funds for an engraved commemorative garden bench and a memorial board, which is now on display in the reception area.

Early shift OPG, Dan Back, lent his landscaping experience and volunteered his time to produce an area of quiet tranquillity for colleagues, families and friends to visit to remember those who have left us.

Medway community champion, Tim Hyde, said: ‘The team raised enough money, so that each of the 14 colleagues we have lost had a rose planted along with individual plaques in memory of the contribution they made to our lives.

‘Following Government rules for funerals, which limited numbers, there were 28 relatives in attendance, while colleagues from the site watched the proceedings and paid their regards from a respectable distance across the carpark roadway. Press play to watch a short video made by colleagues on the day.

‘Caroline Maddex, the wife of recently deceased driver, John Maddex, who attended with her two young children and John’s parents, cut the ribbon to officially open the garden area. The service was led by plant manager, Bob Brady, with service delivery lead, Gary Gyde, supporting. OPGs Chariza Usana and Bill Johnson read out a very poignant poem, dedicated to the colleagues, which had many of us in tears.

‘After the families laid flowers and other items at the foot of the rose plants placed for their relatives, canteen manager, Louise, laid on a buffet in the site canteen, where each family received gifts to commemorate the occasion from the business.

‘We received a number of quotes from relatives in praise of the ceremony. These include:

• “It was a lovely afternoon. Your Royal Mail team at Medway are a credit. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. It was especially poignant to have the VIP tour to see where Chris worked and indeed to have the opportunity to speak with a few of his colleagues. He spent a lot of years with Royal Mail. It was a big part of his life.
• “It was quite a sentimental journey today. Thank you so much. The memorial is a lovely place for us to visit.
• “Ellie, my grand-daughter, found the tour and talk about the sorting office amazing and very informative. Thank you for the lovely Royal Mail keepsake. What a lovely, thoughtful touch!
• "I wanted to thank you for the heartfelt, respectful memorial service that you and the rest of the team did so thoughtfully.”

‘The service was entirely funded by colleagues at Medway Mail Centre and supported by the following local companies: Quinneys Fencing (Herne Bay), Buildbase (Rochester) and B&Q (Canterbury).’