The Memorial book was set up in 1990 by the Ayrshire branch of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society. The aim of this book is to provide a memorial for babies who have either been stillborn or have died shortly after birth. The Memorial book is kept in the 'Sands Suite' at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit, Crosshouse Hospital. If you have used the 'Sands Suite' you will have had the opportunity to look at the book, but if you did not have this opportunity you can still arrange to see the book before you make any decisions about making an entry for you baby. The nursing staff will let you spend some time looking at the book, either in the 'Sands Suite' if it is not in use, or if this is not possible they will find you somewhere else where you will still have peace and privacy.

The book is in loose leaf format with the entries placed in chronological (date) order. There are two different types of sheets: one sheet for babies who have been stillborn (i.e. born dead after 28 weeks of pregnancy) and the other for babies who have lived for a short time after delivery. On both sheets there is a space for the baby's name, a space for the parent's names and a space for the date on which your baby was stillborn or died. Below this there is a space where, if you choose, you may insert a verse or a few lines. If you decide to insert a verse, please try to restrict it to 4 or a maximum of 5 lines, more than this and it becomes difficult to keep the entry looking attractive.

In the past Ayrshire Sands have been asked if there are verses available for people to choose from, as this entry is a message to your baby, or to other people about your baby it is very personal and parents are therefore encouraged to choose their own words. Although some parents know right away exactly what they want to say, for others it can take a very long time to find the right words. For this reason there is no time limit for entries being made, so do not feel pressurised in any way, take as much time as you need to decide what you want to say.If you decide to place any entry in the book you can, if you wish, have an additional copy of the entry made for you to keep. The copies are exactly the same as the actual entries in the book. A small charge is made to cover the cost of materials and postage, this charge is:

£1.00 entry in the book
£2.00 personal copy
i.e. £3.00 for an entry and a personal copy

Payments should be made by cheque or postal order and made payable to 'Ayrshire Sands'. The entries in the book are made by one of the members of Ayrshire Sands, to ensure that entries are accurate (e.g. names spelt correctly) it is best to have the details written out rather than trying to take all the details over the phone, please send details and payment to:

Ayrshire Sands
Support Group Office, Ayrshire Maternity Unit
Crosshouse Hospital
Irvine, Ayrshire,
Telephone 01563 825402

Before you leave the hospital the nursing staff may be able to provide you with a photocopy of a blank sheet, simply fill in the details as you want your baby's entry to read, write your name, address and telephone number on the back and post it along with you payment. We will then make out the entry and insert it in the Book of Remembrance and pass your payment to the treasurer of Ayrshire Sands. If you have requested a personal copy, this will be posted out to you.

Should you have any questions regarding the Book of Remembrance that have not been covered by this page, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will try to help in any way we can.