Memorial Ideas

[pinksalamander]

Well, earlier this year a 16 year old girl was killed after being hit by a car on a big A-Road in my town. She went to my school and was in my year.

Today i was in my technology class and was chatting to a friend. She mentioned that she really wanted to make some kind of memorial. We have a huge memorial to a girl who was killed in a coach crash in Austria (it was on the national news a few years ago) but nothing for Natalie.

We were talking about a bench. Because in my technology class i'm notorious for making HUGE things compared to everyone else (everyone is making lamps, jewellery boxes and i'm making a rabbit hutch!) so she said i should do it.

We've now decided that we want to make a bench for her to be placed in school in our spare time with donations from the pupils.

So i asked my teacher, she said it was an absolutley great idea. However, we then found out that we are not allowed to make a bench, because of health and safety laws they won't allow someone to sit on something we have made. It is deemed 'unsafe'. :X

I'm very annoyed. A bench is the perfect thing. She used to sit by the library so we were going to place it there. She had horses and loved pink so we were going to make it pink with horse cutouts all over it. Now we aren't allowed to do that!

So I thought i would throw this out into you guys. We don't want to just buy a bench and do it up because it won't be the same.

Does anyone have any ideas of what we could make? It needs to be mainly wood, and something that people can't 'hurt' themselves on. We might aswell just wrap it in bubble wrap :tantrum:

Can anyone think of anything?

Here is a picture of Natlie too:

R.I.P (Rest in Pink!)

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[Alexah]

I'm sorry about the loss of Natalie. How sad. And how wonderful for you and your friends to consider making a memorial for her. I think that's so amazing of you all. And shame on the school though I do suspect it has something to do with liability since it will be on school property. I do understand their point, but I do feel they could've been more willing to offer suggestions instead of just shucking responsibility.

Would it be possible to make a sculpture of a horse in pink since she loved those two things? That would allow for an appropriate memorial (and can still be placed near the library) and would also be "safe" for the school population. Another possible idea would be to make a large plaque or frame with inscriptions from students in your school and year. I think either idea for honor Natalie's memory in a very special and personal way.

RIP Natalie - you were loved.

 

[pinksalamander]

We did discuss a plaque, but we wanted it to be something fun and enjoyable. The sculpture sounds like a good idea, i will put that forward!

My technology teacher is however fighting to find out exactly what needs to be done to make the bench 'safe'. There has got to be a way!

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[slavetoabunny]

Can you have it inspected by someone "professional" and have it certified to be safe? I would imagine it would have to be rated for some maximum weight.

 

[myheart]

I understand the desire to make your own bench and the difficulties surrounding that, but what about a purchased bench that could be painted pink.(Although I don't foreseea purchased benchbeing any safer with the stuff that comes from overseas, unless you were able to go a real woodworking craftsman)

Perhaps instead of horse silhouettes, draw outlines of horses leaving enough space for students who knew herroom tosign it with sharpies (all different colors, or course). That might actually deter students from sitting on the bench because they get to be a part of the memorial by signing it.

I also like the idea of the horse statue. I have seen many of those "Painted Ponies" at the local country feed store and think they are cute. A statue could also be placed in a display case if the library has one near the entrance or just inside the library. Maybe a pair of pinkhorse statues to be used as bookends?

Your friend was a beautiful girl. She was very lucky to have friends like you who cared very much for her. Best of luck with your endeavors.

myheart

 

[GoinBackToCali]

Ugh...

I hate red tape..

Absolute bullocks about the *unsafe* thing..

 

[pamnock]

How about a decorative bridge with flowers planted around it, or a picket fence with flowers. Maybe some type of wooden planter or fountain? A memorial garden with a wooden sign would look pretty.

A wooden wishing well or trelliswould be beautiful. You could also tie in the horses and pink into the design.

It's wonderful that you are doing such a nice memorial project. Please let us know what you decide and post photos.

Pam

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Psh! I thought that was what teachers were supposed to do? help you build it correctly?

 

[pinksalamander]

I know, but even if it is built well its still not allowed because it isn't tested and built to BS standards, although we are trying to work out just how it can be tested and exactly what standards it needs to be!

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[Elf Mommy]

I like the wishing well idea. Those can be quite beautiful!

 

[pinksalamander]

The only problem with that is we don't have a well, or a garden! And we are paying for this ourselves so i'm not sure where it would go!

Once i get things further up and running i will talk to the Headmaster about it.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[Elf Mommy]

Well if it was a wishing well that people could toss coins into then the coins could be used to purchase a tree to be planted in her honor on the school grounds, or flowers to beautify the area...something like that.

 

[slavetoabunny]

I'm for the wishing well idea also. It sounds like it would be very pretty.