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Grieving mother of Ramsgate teen Samuel Alban-Stanley plants tree in his favourite 'lime and soda spot' at Royal Victoria Pavilion

A tree has been planted on the terrace of a pavilion where a young boy who died after falling from a cliff would have a lime and soda every morning.

Sammy Alban-Stanley, from Ramsgate, would visit the Wetherspoon pub on the seafront with his mother Patricia each day and chat away to the other customers.

Sammy having a lime and soda in his favourite place Royal Pavilion in Ramsgate
Sammy having a lime and soda in his favourite place Royal Pavilion in Ramsgate

It was this sweet, friendly nature that led to the 13-year-old becoming a well-known face in the town and much-loved regular at the Royal Victoria Pavilion.

He would also always insist that the same member of staff, Kerry Barker, would make him his drink as she knew exactly how he liked it - 'very limey'.

Sammy, described by his mum as a pure and loving soul, tragically died last April.

The Laleham Gap School pupil, who had autism and a complex neurological disorder, was found seriously injured at 6.50am on April 22 in Marina Road in Ramsgate after reportedly falling from the clifftop.

He was rushed to King's College Hospital in London but died four days later from a traumatic brain injury, leaving behind his grieving parents and three younger sisters.

Proud Sammy in France with his mum after just speaking some French
Proud Sammy in France with his mum after just speaking some French

Patricia says his death has left a huge hole in the family and the community, too, and so in memory of her darling boy, she wanted to created a lasting tribute in his favourite place.

"This is his 'lime and soda spot' and it has such a special significance," she said.

"He was just so happy there.

"Every morning we would go there together and he would say 'I have to have Kerry, where is she?' and then they would chat away, like he would with everyone."

To mark the special place, a strawberry tree from Youngs Nurseries in Broadstairs, where he was also a well-known face, was planted in a pot on Monday, the anniversary of Sammy's death.

Patricia with Sammy's favourite member of staff, Kerry Barker
Patricia with Sammy's favourite member of staff, Kerry Barker

The Rag and Bone Man - Paul Firbank - from Margate also created an inscripted ring to sit inside the pot, which reads: "Sammy's lime and soda spot. Forever happy. Forever loved. Rides, inflatables and fun."

The words nod to Sammy's love of the beach inflatables nearby, which he sometimes helped put up, and the funfair. He would also spend time chatting to the lifeguards about their equipment

"The ring has seagulls on it as we always laughed at how cheeky they were - they once stole his chips," added Patricia.

"It's all very linked to that bit of beach, not just where we sat for our morning drink but also where we used to go to swim and have fun."

The strawberry tree bears fruit and blossom in the winter, which means it will be blossoming on his December birthday each year.

Patricia sat in Sammy's favourite spot
Patricia sat in Sammy's favourite spot

Patricia says it was particularly special that Kerry was there on Monday to see the tree being planted.

"This was such a positive thing and it really does look beautiful," she said.

"Sitting there it felt like Sammy was there - and I had to have a lime and soda of course.

"In my head I could hear him saying how kind everyone was, as he would."

Patricia says the family all desperately miss Sammy, as does the community.

The strawberry tree and inscripted ring. In the picture, Patricia is wearing a loomed band made by Sammy's sister for all of them, including Sammy, on the day he died.
The strawberry tree and inscripted ring. In the picture, Patricia is wearing a loomed band made by Sammy's sister for all of them, including Sammy, on the day he died.

"His wonderful, beautiful, interesting, refreshing personality - the purity of it - he was enjoyed because of that, by many people," she said.

An inquest will be held in May examining the care provided to Sammy by public health and mental health authorities before he died and whether his needs were adequately met.

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