Memorial Flower Float 2020
In 2019, we at the Centre were looking for a new item to add into the first year of our “Live @ The Lake Festival” many ideas were thrown around but we wanted something that hadn’t been seen before in our location. It had to be something that would capture the hearts and minds not only of the people of Rossinver but open to anyone anywhere. After lots of discussion we finally found just the thing we had been looking for. A simple concept which would go on to be one of the most memorable things we have ever done. The idea was to float the Memorial Flowers on Lough Melvin at sunset, a calm and relaxing end to what we knew would be a weekend full of fun, laughter and joy.
So after some research and a great deal of time we at the Centre mastered the art of making beautiful hand-made colourful paper flowers which could hold a small tealight candle and be floated on the Lough. We honestly did not expect the popularity of the flowers, and people came from all over the area to purchase the flowers and write their messages for loved ones. The response was far greater than we anticipated and with the help of Rossinver Fishing Club, The New Ballagh Centre and the Organic Centre we were all set for the launch of the flowers.
On a beautiful summers evening in July 2019, we gathered at Lough Melvin to launch the flowers, each one with a personal message for a loved one. This proved to be not just an event to complete our festival weekend but a moving tribute to each and every person mentioned on those fragile paper flowers. As Philip Rooney took the microphone and thanked everyone for playing a part, the candles were lit and floated into the calm waters of the Lough. There had been so many purchased that a human chain naturally formed in order to place them into the water. This to all that saw it showed the coming together of a community and the basic human nature of wanting to be of help. Once all the flowers were floated you could feel the emotion in the air, a calm serene time of reflection.
This year, although we cannot replicate the event exactly as last year, we plan to hold the event again. The Memorial Flowers will still be available for purchase through PayPal and also on set dates from the Centre (following COVID 19 protocol). The event will be streamed live for anyone who wishes to see it, as with the restrictions that are in place we can’t allow a large gathering of people to witness the event first hand. We hope that, as last year people will get behind us for this event and hopefully next year we will all be able to enjoy not only the Memorial Flower Float, but the whole of the Live @ The Lake Festival.
Flowers can be purchased now through PayPal at the following link https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=tmyPGnOnZuRcGjTZr7lNT19gyxbPHsK6mcqJJ6qjqvyII2GqX9SVE9BH9kk0LCQ7N8TI8W&country.x=IE&locale.x=IE
Please remember to leave your message, which will be treated with the upmost discretion.
