ICCM Summer 2022 Journal

Page 43

The ICCM Journal | Summer 2022 | V90 No. 2

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every little helps Staff at Distington Hall crematorium in Copeland, Cumbria, are encouraging those placing floral tributes to remove all wrapping from flowers first. Many tributes are left in the grounds or the chapel of remembrance, and removing the plastic first means the flowers, once past their best, can be easily collected and composted. Bereavement services manager, Susan Pringle, said: “We have provided an area for people to unwrap their flowers, and a bin in which to place the decaying ones. We’ll use that to make compost that can then be used in the grounds for potting and planting schemes. “Placing flowers is a lovely way to remember someone, and this scheme means it also becomes a circle of recycling that benefits the earth and reduces the amount of plastic in the environment.” The ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ theme is one that’s being fully embraced by the organisation. Any planters and pots that are left behind are washed and used in the newly flourishing walled garden – a neglected Victorian space being brought back to life through regular volunteer events. Ms Pringle added: “We have members of the public, local school children and community payback members who come to this beautiful garden to help restore it. Instead of throwing away the unwanted pots from tributes, they are used to plant seeds and grow plants that will become part of the garden.” The team used a growing Christmas tree as a ‘memorial tree’ for the bereaved to hang messages on over the Christmas period. The tree has now been planted back into the grounds of the crematorium and will be used again next Christmas. It will even be adorned with wooden decorations created from fallen branches from the crematorium’s woodland area. Ms Pringle’s team have also recently purchased two automated mowers, which should streamline things considerably. She said: “These quiet, eco-friendly robotic mowers cover 7,000 square metres, and can detect where the grass is growing longer and faster. They mow continually, so the clippings will be minimal and are dispersed, becoming a source of nutrients for the lawns. “Because they are light, they can access areas that our ride-on mowers can’t – for example wet and heavy ground. “Depending on the type of mower, ride-ons can cost around £70 per cut, due to labour, transport, and ever-increasing fuel costs. The robotic mower costs under £1 per cut and gives us a higher standard of grass cut, whilst reducing the impact on the environment. Leila Cox Senior Communications Officer Copeland Borough Council


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