Sam Tolay’s four boys – Joshua, seven, Thomas, six, Callum, five, and Daniel, three – were killed by their father in 2003. Keith Young forced his wife to listen in on the phone as he killed them before commit suicide. A memorial garden was set up in the children’s memory at Handley Hill Elementary School in Winsford, Cheshire, where they were students, Cheshire Live reports. But when Sam showed up at her children’s memorial this week, she was shocked to find that homeowner Linden Homes had destroyed the garden. READ MORE: Manchester airport boss resigns to ‘chase new opportunities’ amid growing backlash In a Facebook post, she said: “My boys’ memory garden. What am I doing or who am I going to see? Wounded. How can they do this and get away with it? No warning. “I was told the garden would not be touched under any circumstances, it is not in ruins.” The school was closed by Cheshire County Council in 2009 and real estate developers Linden Homes were then allowed to build homes on the school site years later. However, a key condition of the design approval was that the developers had to keep the monument garden as part of the new development. It was agreed that developers would meet with Sam to discuss plans for what the new monumental garden would look like when it was completed, as it was a condition of approval for the design that the monumental garden would be maintained, but this did not happen. Work to remove vegetation from the site and prepare the ground for the new garden has begun, but there has been no consultation between all parties to begin work. The monumental garden was “swept away” by home builder Linden Homes (Image: Cheshire Live) Linden Homes says there was some confusion about starting work due to a change of staff at the site and that the garden had to remain “in situ” until the revised plans were agreed by all parties. A spokesman for Linden Homes’ Vistry Group said: “A new monumental garden is being created, retaining the existing wall and incorporating Sam’s ideas, such as including a tractor in the plan to pay tribute to her sons. There will also be a decorative tree with a special commemorative plaque, four more trees to symbolize the boys and benches for people to sit and ponder. “We met with Sam at the site in August to discuss the plans, but we’re sorry if there was any misunderstanding about the timing of this work that caused a stir – and we have a meeting with Sam and Winsford Mayor Nathan Pardoe on Thursday. At the moment, the overgrown vegetation is being cleared as the land prepares to start work on the new garden next month, with Sam intending to continue to be involved in the process throughout. Samantha Tolley keeps plaque in memory of her four boys, Joshua, Thomas, Callum and Daniel (Image: Cheshire Live) Coun Pardoe took the stand, saying Linden Homes “must keep its promise” to protect the memory of Joshua, Thomas, Callum and Daniel Young. “Plans were made last summer to restore the garden monument,” said the mayor of Winsford. “Linden Homes staff know how important this garden is to the Winsford community and have always intended to restore it. The most important thing is that the wishes of the family continue to be integrated into the rehabilitation plans, with this in mind I will attend a site visit with Sam and Linden Homes. “Everyone involved wants to see a memorial garden that remembers Joshua, Thomas, Callum and Daniel well. Linden Homes must keep her promise to protect their memory by restoring the garden and working closely with Sam. to restore it with care and sensitivity. “ Linden Homes Gets Permission to Build Boys’ School Homes (Image: Cheshire Live) Linden Homes, Coun Nathan Pardoe, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Sam Tolley are arranging a meeting this week to sort out the situation and clarify exactly what Sam’s wishes for the revised garden monument are. A spokesman for the Cheshire West and Chester Council added: “The council has long been aware of the need to honor this important monument, which is remembered by the four Winsford boys who attended the school. “Although the Handley Hill School grounds are being renovated for housing, the monument will continue to be maintained and rebuilt on the site as part of this new development. . “The developer has received instructions from the council to carry out this project and to incorporate an improved monument garden as part of its plans, which were approved in August last year. The council and the developer are committed to maintaining and to strengthen the monument garden and We know that a meeting takes place on Thursday to discuss its design “. Read more related articles Read more related articles
