A permanent memorial to Alan Henning is set to be officially opened in his home town of Eccles.
A circular garden at Eccles Recreation ground will be opened in a special ceremony on Tuesday 17 May at 6pm.
The Ceremonial Mayor of Salford Councillor Peter Dobbs will open proceedings and thank everyone for taking their time to remember Alan. He will be joined by Reverend Dr Anne Louise Critchlow, Chair of Churches Together who will lead a few prayers and Alan’s wife, Barbara, will say a few words. Paul Dennett, the new City Mayor of Salford, will close proceedings.
Eccles Parish Church will remain open until 8pm to allow for private prayers
City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “This is an open invitation to the community to join Alan’s family in the official opening of the Memorial Garden.
“It is a place where people can reflect and think about him and a fitting tribute to a true son of Salford”.
The Alan Henning Memorial Garden design is based upon a clock face; the 360 degree garden has been created to give the family and the community a place of quiet reflection and is symbolic of time.
The garden features a circular flower bed, planted with yellow flowers and plants, wooden sleepers painted yellow and two granite boulders bearing memorial plaques.
The colour yellow was chosen to show the overwhelming love, support and remembrance to Alan Henning and his family that emerged in and around the communities of Eccles and Salford.
A number of businesses donated the materials free of charge to make this special place a reality.
