A LASTING REMINDER for those who have had loved ones lost to cancer has been created in Tomintoul.
The floral ‘Field of Hope’ is an initiative started by Marie Curie Cancer Care as way to remember family and friends who have passed away as a result of the illness.
The Tomintoul Field of Hope is the brainchild of local couple Mike and Des Budd after they had seen a similar one in Elgin – and having themselves lost several family members to cancer, wanted to create the same for Tomintoul.
A planting ceremony was held yesterday with between seven and eight thousand daffodil bulbs having been planted over the past week. Moray MSP Richard Lochhead attended the ceremony alongside children from Tomintoul Primary School, representatives from The Crown Estate and Aberlour Rotary Club and willing helpers from the community.
Following the ceremony Richard Lochhead said: “A Field of Hope is lovely way to remember loved ones who have passed away from cancer. While memories are never lost for family and friends it’s nice to have a physical reminder for the whole community.
“Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and it’s great that Tomintoul have embraced the Field of Hope idea and created their own one.
“A huge thanks must go to Mike and Des Budd who instigated the idea for the village and seen it through. It was great to see such a good turnout from the community at the ceremony today and a massive thank you to everyone that has rolled up their sleeves and planted all those bulbs.
“I look forward to visiting the village again in the spring time and seeing the daffodils in full bloom. It really is a great way of celebrating the lives of those that we’ve lost.
Mike Budd said: “Des and I have lost several members of our close family to cancer. We were so impressed with the Field of Hope in Elgin that we thought it would be a good idea to have one in Tomintoul too.
“Three weeks ago a local farmer helped us by preparing the ground and over the past week we have planted between seven and eight thousand bulbs. We have had a huge amount of help from the community, including the school, with about 80-120 hours of work being put in to this.
“I’m sure that it will be all have been worth it and will serve as a wonderful reminder of those we have lost to such a horrible disease.”