"It is now meaningful in a different way"

Tuesday 23 August 2022

The mother of a “bubbly” school teacher who passed away after struggles with her mental health has thanked islanders for their kindness after a replica was created to replace her daughter's missing memorial stone.

Cassie Porter, who died in 2020, was an "exuberant" and "outgoing" Year 1 teacher at Rouge Bouillon who joined the school after three years spent abroad in Thailand.

Upon her return to the island, Cassie made an instant impact on both her students and the wider Jersey community.

Pictured: Cassie's friend, Tom Stead, has also organised multiple Run for Cass events over the past two years to remember the school teacher and to raise money for charity.

Since Cassie passed away, her mum, Carol, has been maintaining a bunch of yellow flowers which are located alongside a painted memorial stone at Cassie's favourite place at the back of Gorey Castle.

Cassie's mum Carol regularly visits the special spot to remember her daughter. However last month, she noticed that the memorial stone placed there was missing.

After contacting the company who maintains the area and confirming that they hadn't moved it, she issued an appeal on Facebook as she believe someone may have taken the painted stone by accident.

The stone has still not been returned, almost three weeks later. However, Carol has found some solace in the fact that a replica has now been created and placed in the original location in Gorey.

Carol explained: "A lovely lady called Emma, who is unknown to me or Cassie, contacted me to say she had a replica stone made. I met her her last Sunday for us to put it where the original stone was.

"I was very emotional at Emma’s kindness. Although it’s not the original memorial stone, it is now meaningful in a different way."

She added: "People have been so kind."

For the past two years, Cassie's friends and family have also been campaigning to have a ‘talking bench’ placed at Cassie's favourite spot in Gorey as a permanent way to remember her as well as helping others feel less alone.

Talking benches are found all over the UK and are places where sharing company and conversation is encouraged which is especially useful for people who are feeling alone and isolated.

Cassie's mum, Carol added: "I think this is so important as nobody, not even me, had any idea Cassie was struggling. She was the most happy and outgoing person, and would always encourage others to talk about their feelings."

Cassie's family and friend would like to install the talking bench at her "happy place" the back of Gorey Castle where Cassie loved to sit and swim.

However, this area is owned by the Public but administered by Jersey Heritage. As a Grade 1 Listed site, planning permission would need to be sought. 

Pictured: Cassie's mum has maintained a bunch of yellow flowers at Cassie's favourite spot in Gorey for the past two years.

In addition, Jersey Heritage advised of another hurdle - that the Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Departments have a policy of not allowing new memorial benches - and offered to meet Cassie's mum to discuss a potential alternative way of remembering Cassie.

Cassie's family say that, if a bench is permitted, they are willing to pay for it and its lifetime maintenance. Carol has also suggested a compromise of having a bench installed in the area for five or 10 years instead of permanently. 

She added: "I wrote to the Connétable of St. Martin, Karen Shenton-Stone, and she has offered me different locations but they mean nothing to me. The back of the castle where Cassie used to swim was her happy place.

"Myself and her family and friends would love a place to sit and remember Cassie’s good times."