08-05-2007, 03:42 PM
There was a meeting yesterday, (Saturday, August 4th 2007), with both Pieter & Yan (Architects), to discuss our effort of building a monument in St. Columban.
Unfortunately only Ken Neil and I were in attendance from our group to be presented with the alternatives that the architects have been investigating over the last month or so.
We did discuss various designs; materials; heights; size, needs for maintenance; and location etc. for this monument to our St. Columban ancestors. As well we tried to determine a ball park cost for building the monument ? using different materials etc.
It would appear that in the end, everyone agrees that a wall type structure, which would include all fragments of the broken stones & plaques to the ancestors where we cannot find any tombstone or other markers.
It would also seem that a curved wall, rather than a straight wall would be a better option, and would provide more stability; be longer lasting and likely more vandal resistant. The ideal design would be to incorporate both the wall memorial along with landscaping and benches, in some form of Celtic design. There is also the possibility or perhaps engraving the names of those individuals without markers, directly into the stone of the monument.
The architects have also investigated the possibility of having both the local materials and perhaps the experienced installation labor, used locally from areas around St. Columban. There would appear to be a number of companies in the area that could certainly furnish the local stones and or other material.
The next logical step would seem to be to try to meet with the ?Fabrique? (Church Wardens) from the Parish of St. Columban to get their agreement on both the location and area where we would like to consider installing this monument. I will try to contact them next week and see if we can present our ideas to them at either their next scheduled meeting; or at a special meeting of the Fabrique to specifically discuss this item.
In the meantime, I am very pleased to report that Kelley O?Rourke, during this past week,(at her own cost and labour expenses), was able to remove all the broken stones from the bush, and from the cemetery and relocate them to her property in Baie D?Urfe. ? This is another fantastic contribution by Kelley. At least it would appear that these broken stones are protected from further damage until we are ready to build the monument ? hopefully in the Spring of 2008. Thanks Kelley !!
Unfortunately only Ken Neil and I were in attendance from our group to be presented with the alternatives that the architects have been investigating over the last month or so.
We did discuss various designs; materials; heights; size, needs for maintenance; and location etc. for this monument to our St. Columban ancestors. As well we tried to determine a ball park cost for building the monument ? using different materials etc.
It would appear that in the end, everyone agrees that a wall type structure, which would include all fragments of the broken stones & plaques to the ancestors where we cannot find any tombstone or other markers.
It would also seem that a curved wall, rather than a straight wall would be a better option, and would provide more stability; be longer lasting and likely more vandal resistant. The ideal design would be to incorporate both the wall memorial along with landscaping and benches, in some form of Celtic design. There is also the possibility or perhaps engraving the names of those individuals without markers, directly into the stone of the monument.
The architects have also investigated the possibility of having both the local materials and perhaps the experienced installation labor, used locally from areas around St. Columban. There would appear to be a number of companies in the area that could certainly furnish the local stones and or other material.
The next logical step would seem to be to try to meet with the ?Fabrique? (Church Wardens) from the Parish of St. Columban to get their agreement on both the location and area where we would like to consider installing this monument. I will try to contact them next week and see if we can present our ideas to them at either their next scheduled meeting; or at a special meeting of the Fabrique to specifically discuss this item.
In the meantime, I am very pleased to report that Kelley O?Rourke, during this past week,(at her own cost and labour expenses), was able to remove all the broken stones from the bush, and from the cemetery and relocate them to her property in Baie D?Urfe. ? This is another fantastic contribution by Kelley. At least it would appear that these broken stones are protected from further damage until we are ready to build the monument ? hopefully in the Spring of 2008. Thanks Kelley !!