BRISTOL
Friends of Arnos Vale Cemetery
January 2008 report from Stephen Barrow, chairman
Joyce Smith was awarded the MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours for Services to Arnos Vale Cemetery. Joyce's husband Richard was also awarded that Honour two years ago for his involvement in saving Arnos Vale Cemetery and it is very fitting that Joyce's efforts have also been recognised. Joyce has been Committee Secretary 1990 to 1999, Membership Secretary 1998 to date, Treasurer 1999 to date. Joyce also produces the quarterly newsletter and compiled the recently published Arnos Vale book. She is also involved with tours and events held at the Cemetery.
NEWSLETTER NO 19 SPRING 2007
Following last year's restoration of the West Lodge, Arnos Vale has major restoration plans for its other buildings for 2007-2009. The non-conformist chapel will become an education centre and the small crematorium will be replaced by a Remembrance Wall. The bell tower of the Anglican Chapel is to be restored with its original bell and restoration of the mortuary chapel will allow funeral services to be held. The East Lodge is currently scaffolded and shrouded to reduce the rate of deterioration. Once restored it will house the Friends of Arnos Vale volunteers, family history research and the Cemetery Supervisor. Self seeded ash and sycamore are being removed from along major paths to improve the range of plants which can grow. The cemetery has been used as a location for several films including Dracula which was shown on TV over the Christmas [2006]
NEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
ARNOS VALE awarded £4.82 million from Lottery Fund
Record amount for a cemetery
Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol has been awarded 4.82 million pounds by the Heritage Lottery Fund. it is believed to be the largest amount ever awarded to a UK cemetery.
The Friends of Arnos vale cemetery struggled for over 20 years to save this 45 acre cemetery from the threat of commercial development and in 2003 suceeded in having it compulsorily purchased by Bristol City Council. it is now managed by a charitable Trust. Last year Bristol City Council and the Trust, with consultants submitted a funding application to the HLF. In December 2005 the award was granted for the restoration of four Grade 11* Listed buildings, one of these has now been restored together with the Grade 11* Arcadian Garden and a number of Listed tombs.
In 2003 Arnos Vale Cemetery was featured in the south-west heat of the BBC2 RESTORATION programme. Whilst they did not win the heat the resulting publicity was of great benefit.
MBE for Richard Smith
Trust and Friends Chairman Richard Smith was awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to Arnos Vale, which he says that he is accepting 'on behalf of all those who worked on the campaign to save the cemetery'.
NFCF members, many of whom had the opportunity to visit at last year's AGM send their congratualtions.