A SYMBOL of remembrance has been unveiled at Lyme Regis Cemetery, a white and gold Postbox to Heaven, to help those struggling with grief.
This project offers people a way to send letters, messages, and memories to their loved ones who have passed away, a small act of connection for those living with grief.
The driving force behind the project is Cllr Cheryl Reynolds, whose own experience of loss made the idea deeply personal.
Cllr Reynolds said: "My very first experience of a postbox for letters to heaven was an article about a nine-year-old girl from Nottingham called Matilda who thought up the scheme.
"She had lost her grandparents and found writing letters to them brought her comfort. I cried, and I wanted to do the same."
With encouragement from the local community, many of whom signed a petition in support, Cllr Reynolds approached the council.
After some early challenges securing a postbox, the town council backed the plan wholeheartedly, purchasing a beautifully crafted white and gold box.
Installation day was marked with a small, moving ceremony attended by mayor Cllr Phillip Evans, deputy mayor Cllr Michaela Ellis and local people who had experienced loss.
Among them were Freddy and Daisy Taylor with their mother Jacki Taylor, who recently lost their dad and husband Kev.
Freddy Taylor, 12, wanted to thank the council. He said: “It is great the council have come together to do this, and it wasn’t a one-person job, it is for the community and something very special.”
Jacki said: “I love the idea that children and adults can write letters to their loved ones, knowing their loved ones will receive their messages. It is very special. Daisy is 16 and Freddy is 12, with two older sisters.
“I think it’s important to not only write the letter, but to post something physical. Grief is always a struggle, we lost Kev very suddenly, it is not going to be a five-minute job, it will take years to process, but now we have somewhere special to post our letters to him”.
Cllr Reynolds said: "Those young people amazed me; their strength and kindness made it so worthwhile."
Some residents have raised thoughtful questions about what happens to the letters.
“No one will read them, “ Cllr Reynolds said. “They will be collected regularly by two of us and carefully composted, feeding the beautiful trees in our cemetery.”