LONDON
Abney Park Cemetery
Sculptor and stonemason Matt Caines is working with the Friends to establish stone carving workshops for community groups in this area of North London.
Using the sculpture in the cemetery as illustrations, the students can then go on to try their hand at creating pieces themselves.
Friends of Brompton Cemetery
Spring 2008 News has just been received that there is a proposal to build on the large car park area at Seagrave Road along the north west side of the cemetery to provide 900 residential units, 100,000 square feet of commercial space including probably a hotel. This will be a colossal intrusion on the cemetery's ambiance, skyline and light.
Colour Sergeant George Baller read the interesting article of this Battle of Waterloo survivor in the Spring 2007 Issue 26 of the FBC newsletter.
Benches 18 new benches funded by the Friends and the Royal Parks Agency have been purchased for the cemetery.
Policing the Cemetery This is now the responsibility of a special unit of the Metropolitan Police. The unit promises increased cemetery patrols and a full time officer will be based at the Chapel. PC Nigel Keane knows the cemetery well and is committed to its care as he has family relatives buried there.
Twelve bat boxes are being installed by the Friends. This is the result of a grant awarded to the cemetery under the government's 'Year of the Volunteer' scheme. When the roosts become established, the Friends are looking forward to summer evening bat spotting walks.
In November 2006 the lodge used to store tools with a small office received a demand from the TV Licensing Agency. There is an outdoor tap but no luxury items such as heating or a toilet. The agency said that they would re-check its data base.
Friends of Highgate Cemetery
NEWSLETTER NO 19 Spring 2007
There are plans in place to repair the boundary wall of the Eastern Cemetery and it is hoped that repairs may be undertaken to the Cuttings Catacombs in the Western Cemetery. The attempt by somebody to sell a burial space on e-bay has caused some revision as to who is eligible to purchase a burial space.
NEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
Plans for conserving the 'Cuttings catacombs' are underway in Highgate Cemetery and attention is being given to the wall of the eastern cemetery that was damaged by a runaway lorry. The owner's insurers have admitted liability but the administration is slow and costs of repair or rebuilding are likely to be high. The Pocklington mausoleum in the Eastern side has been treated and restored by the Thomas Pockington Trust which has met all expenses.
Friends of Kensal Green Cemetery
NEWSLETTER NO 19 Spring 2007
A long section of the cemetery perimeter wall collapsed on August 31st 2007. Fortunately it fell into the cemetery rather than into the street and nobody was injured.
Friends / owners of cemeteries with high Victorian walls will need to consider their stability.
NEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
Over the winter months the Friends have had the help of the Community Service Volunteers GO London Project to define major pathways through the cemetery.
Following the success of the restoration of the Dissenters' Chapel they are now looking for funding for repairing the Anglican Chapel and bringing it back into regular use.
Friends of Nunhead Cemetery
NEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
Treasurer Cathy Howard in the FONC newsletter endorses the value of the Gift Aid scheme which members have been persuaded to sign up to since 2004. By claiming back to the start of the scheme in 2000, more than £2174 has been returned by HM Revenue and Customs. FONC continues to keep the subscription at £2 and has more than 700 members.
Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park
NENEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
Visitors to the Friends' Woodland Craft Day in March 2006 had the opportunity to try pole lathe turning, chair making or willow weaving, while then seeing exhibitions of charcoal making, woodturning and string making. The aim of the day was to highlight the importance of the cemetery park as the only woodland area in the borough of Tower Hamlets. The Friends are also encouraging volunteers to come to the boundary hedgelaying project and to try their hand at this ancient country craft.
Friends of West Norwood Cemetery
NEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
There has been much activity and upheaval due to a long planned drainage and roadway resurfacing work. The chairman reports that the contractors are doing a good job in difficult circumstances but unfortunately this has caused damage to the nearby roadway and at least one memorial. The cemetery staff have been asked to keep a watch.
Friends of Woodgrange Park Cemetery
NEWSLETTER NO 17 APRIL 2006
The Friends were hoping to have the refurbishment completed this year but can still only report that they are patiently waiting for the council to act and the building of the caretaker's lodge is still to be started.
