Tomorrow will mark 21 years since Pierre died in such tragic circumstances.
Today his old academy friends, staff and Pierre's family met up at Sparrows Lane to mark the occasion and to see the revised, temporary, memorial garden until it makes it's way to it's permanent home when the training ground development is finished (so yes, it's temporary home could become semi permanent!).
I was joined by @Fanny Fanackapan and Richard her husband who many will know tended the original Garden for many years.
The day was slightly different that last year, it was arranged so that the family and lads could talk about the day. What was clear is how emotional it is for them all and how it has effected their lives. We will all remember Pierre, but his colleagues and family were also terribly effected by that day, and still are.
However it was also a celebration of Pierre, they played a match in his memory, many I never knew from the academy but also those more well known, Jon Fortune, Kevin Lisbie, Michael Turner to name a few.
The legend that is SCP also came along to show support, as he always does, but sadly he didn't don the boots!
We released balloons with messages to Pierre and Matt Baker (club Chaplain) spoke and Kevin George who made the arrangements also showed the Pierre Bolangi Trophy that will become an annual award at hopefully the POTY do to an academy player who showed the same traits as Pierre.
What I think is clear is Pierre should never, ever, be forgotten, he never was allowed the time to make his own legacy so that is something we need to do for him. A young man from our club taken so young in such tragic circumstances whilst under the clubs care.
It was an emotional day, but very fitting.
RIP Pierre, gone, but never forgotten.
ps, the new garden was at least in part funded by some of the residual funds from the protest fund.
It's very good to know that the memorial garden has been restored, at least on a temporary basis, and is now clearly on the club's agenda for full reinstatement in due course. I was so pleased to read that dear @Fanny Fanackapan and her husband were present too, as they have done so much to establish and maintain the original garden.
It was a privilege to be with Pierre's family and friends at SL this afternoon & we thank them for the invitation.
As you will see from Andy's photos, the temporary Garden is in place now but we took along a small album of a dozen we had taken 6 years ago when its predecessor was begun and then in its pomp. This was given to Pierre's sister who said she wished the family had known it existed as they would have loved to visit it.
My aim is to put a few of those photos on this thread when I can get someone's assistance !
I also gave Pierre's sister a card saying "" Remembering Pierre. We shall not forget him " from Charlton Supporters, as a reminder that he remains in the hearts & minds of many of us.
When the Training Ground is eventually redeveloped, it is planned to have the permanent Garden sited centrally, with the Academy area on one side and the 1st team area on the other. Not only will it be visible & accessible to both groups but will also encapsulate where young Pierre's path was taking him at our club before it's direction was so tragically halted.
So, once again, Pierre's bust has been restored to its rightful place where this young man spent so many happy hours in pursuit of his dream. The engraved words are there to remind us :
" Always smiling. Always happy. Never forgotten "
We MUST ensure that, whoever owns our club & its Training Ground in the future and for as long as Charlton Athletic FC exists, those holding the reins will never be allowed to forget his name .
It was a privilege to be with Pierre's family and friends at SL this afternoon & we thank them for the invitation.
As you will see from Andy's photos, the temporary Garden is in place now but we took along a small album of a dozen we had taken 6 years ago when its predecessor was begun and then in its pomp. This was given to Pierre's sister who said she wished the family had known it existed as they would have loved to visit it.
My aim is to put a few of those photos on this thread when I can get someone's assistance !
I also gave Pierre's sister a card saying "" Remembering Pierre. We shall not forget him " from Charlton Supporters, as a reminder that he remains in the hearts & minds of many of us.
When the Training Ground is eventually redeveloped, it is planned to have the permanent Garden sited centrally, with the Academy area on one side and the 1st team area on the other. Not only will it be visible & accessible to both groups but will also encapsulate where young Pierre's path was taking him at our club before it's direction was so tragically halted.
So, once again, Pierre's bust has been restored to its rightful place where this young man spent so many happy hours in pursuit of his dream. The engraved words are there to remind us :
" Always smiling. Always happy. Never forgotten "
We MUST ensure that, whoever owns our club & its Training Ground in the future and for as long as Charlton Athletic FC exists, those holding the reins will never be allowed to forget his name .
Sleep tight, dear Pierre.
Let us know when digging/graft is needed. Plenty of us will help.
The temporary Memorial Garden was dealt with entirely by the club. We've had no contact since the revamped version was dug up & consigned to Hadlow back in 2015.
My attention was first drawn to the issue when @redman posted about volunteers to "update" it a few weeks ago. I learnt that the Commemoration Committee was involved and that Matt Baker was the lead but someone from the club was responsible for the Garden's re-establishment.
Andy & I were concerned that, with the day of the event fast approaching, there was no news of it being completed as the family was due to lay some flowers there yesterday.
However, the Garden is in place - small but perfectly formed....
Regarding assistance in establishing a permanent Memorial to Pierre, your offers of help are much appreciated but as far as I'm aware, this will be dealt with by the club & will only be on the agenda once our owner purchases the SL site and plans are confirmed for the rebuild.
I believe that yesterday drew a line under the Fanackapans' involvement in this project close to our hearts which saddens me but living now an hour or so from the area, is for the best. We're also now far from being spring chickens ( apologies to @Arsenetatters) & the services of the club physio would be needed following every stint in the Garden ! Hmmm, that doesn't sound too bad....
We all need to ensure that, when the rebuild begins, a fitting Memorial is given as much importance as any other element and that some form of consultation with supporters is involved.
This is the very least our club owes to Pierre's family & friends and we are their voice.
Owners, senior staff, CEOs may come & go before the Training Ground's metamorphosis but the faithful will remain with this young man entrenched deep in our hearts.
For reference today is the 21st Anniversary - 9th August 2000.
@Fanny Fanackapan your days of kneeling on the hallowed training ground turf tending the garden may be over, but there are 50+ years of the Pierre Bolangi annual award at the POTY do to sort out, chop chop
PS, Kevin has updated his article from last year with a little more information about what the future holds (and a little thank you to Fanny).
Posting this on behalf of @Fanny Fanackapan to show how the Pierre Bolangi Memorial Garden was developing prior to being dug up under Duchatelet.
-----------------
These first two photos show how days of torrential rain affected our earliest efforts. The 2 beds had been dug out, initial evergreen shrubs planted and a huge bag of spring flowering bulbs planted....which of course rotted away in the wet
ground.
We were obliged to await the drying out process as did Paul & his merry
men at SL who look after the pitches so superbly. This one shows the recovery stage when we were able to recover the first shrubs etc
These ones show the Garden in early-mid summer 2014, with the Red Robin photinia hedge beginning to establish around the perimeter.
These final ones show the Garden at its very best in late summer of 2014. The wooden seats either side of the path were already in place in the Garden when we began our stint there, and we rubbed down & revarnished them.
So, that will give those Lifers who have followed this saga a better idea of how it developed before its demise.
Why was this original memorial gotten rid of , who decided on that and was there a plan at that time to move it somewhere else because it’s a real odd carry on.
Well done to all involved and if finances are required I’d be more than happy to chip in to help with the new stuff .
Pierre Bolangi's tragic death still raw for former Charlton team-mates who want to create a legacy at the club
The impact of the tragic death of Charlton teenager Pierre Bolangi is still being felt but now his former team-mate Kevin George wants to create a legacy at the club...
I'm really pleased this got off the mark and the first award has been presented and it will now forever be a part of the awards ceremony leaving a legacy for Pierre. I've been fortunate to get to know Kevin and have met Angelique a few times now. Sadly missed the POTY do due to my wedding anniversary, but was there in spirit
Thanks to Fanny for sorting everything and making sure Kevin and the family were there.
Comments
It seems something is happening according to Twitter.
Never forgotten Pierre ❤️
Tomorrow will mark 21 years since Pierre died in such tragic circumstances.
Today his old academy friends, staff and Pierre's family met up at Sparrows Lane to mark the occasion and to see the revised, temporary, memorial garden until it makes it's way to it's permanent home when the training ground development is finished (so yes, it's temporary home could become semi permanent!).
I was joined by @Fanny Fanackapan and Richard her husband who many will know tended the original Garden for many years.
The day was slightly different that last year, it was arranged so that the family and lads could talk about the day. What was clear is how emotional it is for them all and how it has effected their lives. We will all remember Pierre, but his colleagues and family were also terribly effected by that day, and still are.
However it was also a celebration of Pierre, they played a match in his memory, many I never knew from the academy but also those more well known, Jon Fortune, Kevin Lisbie, Michael Turner to name a few.
The legend that is SCP also came along to show support, as he always does, but sadly he didn't don the boots!
We released balloons with messages to Pierre and Matt Baker (club Chaplain) spoke and Kevin George who made the arrangements also showed the Pierre Bolangi Trophy that will become an annual award at hopefully the POTY do to an academy player who showed the same traits as Pierre.
What I think is clear is Pierre should never, ever, be forgotten, he never was allowed the time to make his own legacy so that is something we need to do for him. A young man from our club taken so young in such tragic circumstances whilst under the clubs care.
It was an emotional day, but very fitting.
RIP Pierre, gone, but never forgotten.
ps, the new garden was at least in part funded by some of the residual funds from the protest fund.
It's very good to know that the memorial garden has been restored, at least on a temporary basis, and is now clearly on the club's agenda for full reinstatement in due course. I was so pleased to read that dear @Fanny Fanackapan and her husband were present too, as they have done so much to establish and maintain the original garden.
As you will see from Andy's photos, the temporary Garden is in place now but we took along a small album of a dozen we had taken 6 years ago when its predecessor was begun and then in its pomp. This was given to Pierre's sister who said she wished the family had known it existed as they would have loved to visit it.
My aim is to put a few of those photos on this thread when I can get someone's assistance !
I also gave Pierre's sister a card saying "" Remembering Pierre. We shall not forget him " from Charlton Supporters, as a reminder that he remains in the hearts & minds of many of us.
When the Training Ground is eventually redeveloped, it is planned to have the permanent Garden sited centrally, with the Academy area on one side and the 1st team area on the other. Not only will it be visible & accessible to both groups but will also encapsulate where young Pierre's path was taking him at our club before it's direction was so tragically halted.
So, once again, Pierre's bust has been restored to its rightful place where this young man spent so many happy hours in pursuit of his dream. The engraved words are there to remind us :
" Always smiling. Always happy. Never forgotten "
We MUST ensure that, whoever owns our club & its Training Ground in the future and for as long as Charlton Athletic FC exists, those holding the reins will never be allowed to forget his name .
Sleep tight, dear Pierre.
Rest easy Pierre.
Never forget x
If I can help in anyway from over here I will.
RIP Pierre ❤️
The temporary Memorial Garden was dealt with entirely by the club. We've had no contact since the revamped version was dug up & consigned to Hadlow back in 2015.
My attention was first drawn to the issue when @redman posted about volunteers to "update" it a few weeks ago. I learnt that the Commemoration Committee was involved and that Matt Baker was the lead but someone from the club was responsible for the Garden's re-establishment.
Andy & I were concerned that, with the day of the event fast approaching, there was no news of it being completed as the family was due to lay some flowers there yesterday.
However, the Garden is in place - small but perfectly formed....
Regarding assistance in establishing a permanent Memorial to Pierre, your offers of help are much appreciated but as far as I'm aware, this will be dealt with by the club & will only be on the agenda once our owner purchases the SL site and plans are confirmed for the rebuild.
I believe that yesterday drew a line under the Fanackapans' involvement in this project close to our hearts which saddens me but living now an hour or so from the area, is for the best. We're also now far from being spring chickens ( apologies to @Arsenetatters) & the services of the club physio would be needed following every stint in the Garden ! Hmmm, that doesn't sound too bad....
We all need to ensure that, when the rebuild begins, a fitting Memorial is given as much importance as any other element and that some form of consultation with supporters is involved.
This is the very least our club owes to Pierre's family & friends and we are their voice.
Owners, senior staff, CEOs may come & go before the Training Ground's metamorphosis but the faithful will remain with this young man entrenched deep in our hearts.
Lest we forget.
@Fanny Fanackapan your days of kneeling on the hallowed training ground turf tending the garden may be over, but there are 50+ years of the Pierre Bolangi annual award at the POTY do to sort out, chop chop
PS, Kevin has updated his article from last year with a little more information about what the future holds (and a little thank you to Fanny).
https://www.kevingeorge.online/emotional-literacy-mental-health-blog/pierre-bolangi-charlton-athletic-fc
RIP young Pierre
And to Andy for posting up Kevin's heartbreaking piece.
This should be brought to the attention of our owner & his SMT, IMO.
A tragic story which all connected with our club should be aware of.
RIP Pierre
I have been told by a member of the FF that the club is looking to be more involved in this issue which is very welcome news indeed.
I've asked to be kept informed of what this might actually mean when the time arises.
We, the fans, have never forgotten Pierre.
Thanks to Fanny for sorting everything and making sure Kevin and the family were there.