Kent County Council Media Call

Fallen leaves help Kent remember

Date: Sunday 15 November

Time: 3:15pm

Location: Canterbury Cathedral

Details: Paper oak leaves made by local schoolchildren will be laid on the floor of Canterbury Cathedral as part of a special service to remember those who have been killed or seriously injured in road crashes.

As part of Oakleaf Memorial Remembrance Day, friends and relatives will be invited to write on the leaves, the names of those who have died. The ceremony is an opportunity for them to meet others and share their experiences as Kent comes together to mark the World Day of Remembrance and Hope for those who have been left injured or bereaved as a result of road traffic incidents and give thanks for the skill and support of the emergency services.

The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral are welcoming all those from across Kent, who share such experiences, to a special service which, through word and music, aims to help them find comfort and hope for the future.

Kent County Council Chairman John Davies said:

“I cannot think of a more fitting way to remember those people who have lost their lives in road traffic accidents. Canterbury Cathedral is a wonderful backdrop for this remembrance service and I am sure that the occasion will bring some comfort to relatives who have lost loved ones in such tragic circumstances. Thankfully the number of road traffic accidents in recent years has significantly reduced but we must continue to do everything we can to ensure that that decline continues.”

The Dean said:

“We are very pleased to hold a service on the day of remembrance for road traffic victims here in Canterbury Cathedral for the first time.  I have had experience of these services in other cathedrals throughout England where this day is gaining in importance and I am sure it will be an occasion of great significance for us all and a time of mutual support and comfort.”

Notes to Editors:

• The Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims was first held in 1993 in the UK and has since been held in countries across the world. The day draw’s the public’s attention to road crashes, their consequences and costs and the measures being taken to prevent them.

For further information contact Lisa Whitbread at Kent County Council Media Centre on 01622 694177 or e-mail Cette adresse email est protégée contre les robots des spammeurs, vous devez activer Javascript pour la voir.

More news releases are available online at www.kent.gov.uk/news