On 11th November 2007, Rochdale on Line reported that 5,000 lives lost to asbestos related diseases were being commemorated by the planting of bulbs in Rochdale's beautiful Memorial Gardens.
Rochdale Council’s Environmental Services Department and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BCTV) carried out the work around the International Asbestos Memorial.
Five thousand crocus bulbs have been planted to represent the numbers of UK deaths the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) attribute each year to asbestos related disease. They have been planted in clusters- this reflects the clusters of asbestos disease around the UK and beyond due to the past use of asbestos products. White and purple were chosen as the predominant colours: white for remembrance and purple as the colour of the ribbons worn to remember those who have died as a result of their work.
It is hoped they will be in full bloom by late February in time for Action Mesothelioma Day. There are currently 2000 UK deaths each year from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma.
Since the Asbestos Memorial was unveiled in 2006, the poignant Rochdale memorial has welcomed visitors from all over the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and the USA. In 2007, Australian asbestos victim groups supplied a eucalyptus tree to create a permanent bond between Rochdale and the pacific states that are now facing an asbestos disease epidemic. As the birthplace of the world's asbestos textile industry Rochdale is a fitting place to remember the dead and fight for the living.
To read the full story click on the following link:
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/News/news.asp?ID=4828
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