‘Josh loved Spiderman... to have the heart being cradled by an angel means he’s being looked after’

Mar 28 2008 by Ben Glaze, South Wales Echo

‘Josh loved Spiderman... to have the heart being cradled by an angel means he’s being looked after’

LITTLE Josh Venn-Howells always loved Spiderman.

The three-year-old was even buried in his comic book hero’s outfit following his death in a road collision last summer.

But his mum Jodie Howells was determined the rest of the world would know her son was a Spiderman fan – so spent £4,500 on a headstone featuring Josh’s favourite comic book character.

Jodie chose a stone that features Josh’s details etched on the front clutched by an angel – and a Spiderman mosaic on the back.

It was unveiled earlier this month on what would have been Josh’s fourth birthday.

“It was like his birthday present,” said Jodie, 28. “I had to hound the stonemasons to get it ready in time and the Spiderman feature took three extra weeks.

“Before that, we had a four-foot white cross with Josh’s name across it in puzzle letters. We put that up almost straight away as a temporary memorial.

“That was nice, but this is much better. It’s permanent and comforting. I spent lots of time looking for the right stone that was permanent and individual.

“It means so much to have this. Josh loved Spiderman and to have the heart being cradled by an angel means he’s being looked after, like he’s getting a cwtch. Josh loved his cwtches.”

The toddler died on July 28 last year, the day after being hit by a car on Willowbrook Drive, St Mellons, Cardiff.

The night before Josh’s fourth birthday, family and friends gathered at Jodie’s home in Brynmawr Close, St Mellons, just yards from where Josh was struck.

Jodie said: “We had a party to remember Josh, it gave us a chance just to think about him.

“Then on his birthday, we had a party for his brothers, sisters and cousins. It was really nice.

“I bought a Spiderman cake with four candles, I got balloons with ‘4’ on them and we all sang Happy Birthday to Josh. Everyone enjoyed it.”

After the party Jodie spent an hour at Josh’s grave in Thornhill Cemetery.

She took him a piece of birthday cake and attached balloons to his headstone, which is surrounded by flowers, and toys including miniature cars, Winnie the Pooh figures and Josh’s Spiderman memorabilia.

n Darren Jenkins, 24, of Arabella Street, Roath, Cardiff, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court this week charged with causing Josh’s death by dangerous driving. He denies the charge and is due to go on trial in July.

ben.glaze@mediawales.co.uk