National Federation of Cemetery Friends

LONDON

West Norwood SE 27    Norwood High Street West Norwood
                  Friends of West Norwood Cemetery    


Website http//fownc.org/
 

    The South Metropolitan Cemetery was established by Act of Parliament in 1837. The 40 acre site  became very fashionable and more than 200 names of those buried there are featured in the Dictionary of National Biography. The catacombs and 65 memorials are Grade II listed [seven of these are Grade II*]. Lambeth Council acquired the cemetery in 1965 with a compulsory purchase order. They cleared 30 to 40% of the tombstones including two that were listed to prepare the land for new burials. The Friends succeeded in ending this policy of wholesale clearance and following a Diocesan Consistory Court ruling, Lambeth Council restored certain monuments. The council has now implemented a management committee, an advisory group which includes the Friends. Major plans for restoration work and a visitor centre are now being discussed.