‘A Feather From Above’: St Barnabas Hospice’s Feather Ironwork Display at Aubourn Gardens and Grounds

St Barnabas Hospice is excited to share some very special news about how they are helping supporters remember loved ones this spring. You are invited to honour the memory of a loved one with a personalised ironwork feather as part of the Hospice’s spring ironwork appeal, Feathers from Above.

You can purchase your ironwork feather on the St Barnabas Hospice website for £40, and it will appear on a beautiful display, which is made possible thanks to Aubourn Hall Gardens and Grounds.

The ironwork feathers are made at three different heights to create a moving display of art that will interact with the wind. At the end of the display, you will be invited to choose the feather that resonates with you the most and collect the personalised tag with your loved one’s name to take home and display forever.

The moving Feathers from Above display will be open to visit from Saturday, the 4th of May, to Friday, the 17th of May, and you can book to visit through the St Barnabas Hospice website. You will receive a unique code for one free entry with every feather purchased. For other visitors, the entry fee is £8 per person (50% of which will be retained by St Barnabas) and free for children under 16 years old.

Head of Fundraising and Lottery at St Barnabas Hospice, Caroline Swindin, said: “We are thrilled to be offering a new ironwork design. Our previous spring appeals have been so well-loved and supported, raising vital funds for local Hospice care across Lincolnshire.

“The feathers provide an opportunity for individuals and families to remember their loved one with a tangible and personalised ironwork that they can take home and display forever.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to local steel fabricator Kevin Baumber for the design and creation of the handmade ironwork feather and Aubourn Hall Gardens and Grounds for facilitating the emotional and moving display of dedicated feathers.”

There is also an opportunity to view the display at night, with specially curated lighting, photos of loved ones, music, and a welcome drink. The reflection evenings are taking place on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd May. Tickets are £10 per person, and you can book a time to visit through the St Barnabas website.

The appeal is also supported by Rebekah Watson. In April 2021, at the age of just 33, her sister, Natalie, was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. She was subsequently cared for by nurses from St Barnabas Hospice through their Hospice at Home service.

Rebekah said: “My sister, Natalie, was a funny, kind, and beautiful mother, sister, and auntie. She loved everybody she met and was so generous.

“The St Barnabas nurses who visited Natalie at home were a huge support to her and us as a family. They could not do enough for Natalie in the final weeks of her life, going above and beyond to make sure that she was comfortable.

“We have seen first-hand just what a difference St Barnabas makes to its patients and their families, which included the invaluable help and support members of our family received after Natalie’s death.

“I look forward to seeing so many special people being remembered through the Feathers from Above appeal alongside my sister this spring.”

To dedicate a feather and book your visit to the display at Aubourn Hall Gardens and Grounds, please visit https://stbarnabashospice.co.uk/feathersfromabove/.