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Jo Yeates’ parents open memorial garden for murdered architect in Clifton, Bristol

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By
David Baker


PUBLISHED:

13:30 EST, 13 May 2012

|

UPDATED:

06:13 EST, 14 May 2012

The parents of murdered landscape architect Jo Yeates today planted wild flowers at a new memorial garden opened where she used to work.

David and Teresa Yeates helped put the finishing touches to the special garden, designed to reflect Jo’s love of butterflies and the outdoors.

The 25-year-old disappeared from her home in Clifton, Bristol, on December 17, 2010, after going for Christmas drinks with colleagues.

Memorial: The parents of murdered landscape architect Jo Yeates planted wild flowers at a new memorial garden opened where she used to work

Memorial: The parents of murdered landscape architect Jo Yeates planted wild flowers at a new memorial garden opened where she used to work

Fitting tribute: Friends and colleagues of Jo Yeates visit Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, close to her family home in Ampfield, Hants to see the unveiling of a new memorial garden opened in her memory

Fitting tribute: Friends and colleagues of Jo Yeates visit Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, close to her family home in Ampfield, Hants to see the unveiling of a new memorial garden opened in her memory

Her body was found dumped on a verge in Failand, north Somerset, on Christmas Day.

Jo’s neighbour, Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak, was found guilty of her murder after a four-week trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Tragic: Jo Yeates disappeared from her home in Clifton, Bristol, on December 17, 2010 after going for Christmas drinks with colleagues. Her body was found dumped on a verge in north Somerset, on Christmas Day

Tragic: Jo Yeates disappeared from her home in Clifton, Bristol, on December 17, 2010 after going for Christmas drinks with colleagues. Her body was found dumped on a verge in north Somerset, on Christmas Day

He was sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve at least 20 years behind bars.

Friends and former colleagues of Jo came together to design the special memorial at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, close to her family home in Ampfield, Hants.

The garden has a butterfly-inspired wooden bench with a paved area in the shape of the insect’s wing.

It also contains a gingko tree, which Jo planted herself when she worked there, and a meadow of wild flowers, including salad burnet and wild carrot.

Around 50 landscape architects and their children joined Mr and Mrs Yeates to complete the planting of 300 wild flowers.

Mr Yeates said he and Teresa were touched by the tribute.

The IT worker said: ‘When we think of Jo we think of her being in the garden, being outside.

‘She was very happy and always saw the positive side of life.

Planting: Jo Yeates' mother Teresa helps to put the finishing touches to the special garden, designed to reflect Jo's love of the outdoors

Planting: Jo Yeates’ mother Teresa helps to put the finishing touches to the special garden, designed to reflect Jo’s love of the outdoors

Finishing touches: David Yeates makes his contribution to the memorial garden for his daughter

Finishing touches: David Yeates makes his contribution to the memorial garden for his daughter

‘To have a memorial like this so close to home is very touching. It was very unexpected but we really like it.

‘I never realised Jo had such an impact on other people and that gives me an enormous amount of pride.

‘We think of Jo all the time, but this is somewhere we will come and think of her too.’

He added: ‘I don’t think we will ever come to terms with what happened.

‘The national outpouring of sympathy for Jo was a complete surprise. In the scheme of things she was just an ordinary girl.

‘But I suppose a lot of mothers and fathers have daughters who are similar
and they reacted to how they would feel if something happened to their child.

‘We will carry on. We just make the best of what we have and of course Jo is always in our thoughts – we want her to stay with us.’

Mrs Yeates said: ‘When I go to Jo’s grave and walk about in the garden I do see butterflies, and I think of her. They are like her flitting about.’

Jo’s former lecturer Brodie McAllister, who helped organise the plant, said: ‘The garden makes a physical contribution to Jo’s spirit.

‘She was fun-loving and full of joy. It’s a very special garden for a very special person.’

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Jo is the reason I began reading the DM. I found an article about her disappearance on my local internet news and when they didn’t print any follow-up articles I went looking for some in British on-line papers. It was a tragedy that truly touched my heart. I felt so terribly grief-stricken for her parents, boyfriend and brother. They seemed like truly lovely people who didn’t deserve this to happen to their lovely Jo. It tore me up reading the daily news reports, until they finally found her killer and put him away. I can only offer my sincerest condolences and wish them freedom from their grief and let them know how much their daughter meant to people like me who never even met her but feel like they knew Jo through her family’s memories. It is truly wonderful to see her parents laughing and hopefully enjoying their lives again which is what I am sure Jo would have wanted. If ever I am able to go to England again I will visit Jo’s garden. May Jo rest in peace, always with love.

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A beautiful idea and we can only trust that it will bring some comfort to her family. What a loss to society was the death of such a lovely and talented girl.

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what a lovely sentiment for their daughter. rest in peace, jo. you will never be forgotten

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Bless them. At least they will achieve some kind of peace.

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How lovely. RIP Jo xxx

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A lovely idea, and I find the last picture of David Yeates smiling deeply moving, because until now, those of us who know the family only in the context of this terrible tragedy had only seen them with sadness and grief on their faces. Joanna seemed like a lovely person, full of life and joy, and this seems like a fitting tribute to her.

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We will never forget your beautiful daughter Jo. Thank you for creating something special in her memory that will bring enjoyment to so many people.

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