Haut du Mont memorial garden to include victims' favourite flowers and play area

Designs have been revealed for a memorial garden for the 10 victims of an explosion at Haut du Mont.

The garden will be created on the site of the of the flats on Pier Road in St Helier, to honour the 10 people who were killed by the blast in the early hours of 10 December 2022.

The vicitims' families have been working closely with the government's Principal Architect to incorporate their ideas into the design.

Family members and displaced residents have agreed they do not want to have a formal memorial site, and would rather it become a park for all islanders.

Karlene McGinness, whose mother, Kathy, died following the disaster, says she and her family are really pleased that the plans for the memorial site are now progressing.

"Our mum’s home always had an incredibly welcoming and warm feel, which was reflective of the loving, happy, and caring person that she was.

"It’s important to us that the memorial site has personal elements which can reflect the kind of person that she was.

"There’s clearly been a lot of thought given to making sure the design and details have a personal feel, and we’re pleased with that."

Credit: Government of Jersey

Ken and Jane Ralph, Peter Bowler, Raymond Brown, Romeu and Louise de Almeida, Derek and Sylvia Ellis, Billy Marsden and Kathy McGinness lost their lives in the tragedy.

Features added to honour them will include their favourite flowers and a separate play area for young children.

The names of the victims will be incorporated into seating their names overlooking St Aubin's Bay.

Karlene says they hope it’ll be a pleasant space where they can go to reflect, remember their mum, and reminisce with family and her friends about all the good times.

"Our mum loved nothing more than playing with her grandchildren.

"It will certainly be a place we’ll go with our children to play, talk about all our lovely memories of her, and keep her memory alive."

A garden of reflection will be added to the space for people to sit and think about the people who lost their lives, or for a bit of clarity.

Haut du Mont after the demolition of the affected residential block of flats.

Barry Freeman, Principal Architect, says this has been one of the most heartfelt and important things he has worked on in his 33-year career.

"Working so closely with those who lost loved ones and those who lost their homes has been a privilege, and we have done our best to incorporate all their requests into the final plans.

"I hope the memorial and garden will become a place for all Islanders to reflect, remember and heal, whatever they are going through.

"I also hope it will stand as something that will help future generations to learn lessons that may avoid other tragedies."

A planning application will be submitted at the end of July, with building work potentially starting early next year.

The garden could be completed by the end of 2026.