The ASCE’s annual conference took place in Vienna on 22-24th
September 2011. A total of 115 delegates attended from 16
countries, present from the UK were myself and my partner Anne
Brannick from Flaybrick, Birkenhead, as well as Henry and Gillian
Will from Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. Despite having fallen in
Vienna and sustaining facial injuries, Henry displayed commendable
fortitude and still delivered his lecture on Ford Park Cemetery.
Significantly the Dublin cemetery of Glasnevin was present for the
first time. This cemetery has undergone one of the largest cemetery
restoration projects in Europe, complete with a high-tech visitor
centre.
Elections were held to decide the Presidency and the Steering
Group for the next four years. Lidija Plibersek from Slovenia was
elected President and John Moffat was returned to the Steering
Group to represent the UK.
The European Routes project continues to progress and now
encompasses 63 cemeteries in 50 cities and 20 countries. Work has
started on a promotional book and a design has been completed for
a plaque which will serve to identify those cemeteries which are part
of the Route.
