Ford Park Cemetery Trust Summer Newsletter 2016
Welcome to the Trust’s summer newsletter. We are having a typical British summer with a mixture of sunshine and showers, ideal growing conditions for grass and flowers. This presents its usual challenge for our grounds staff. It is encouraging that on recent walks, members of the public have expressed understanding for the difficulties we experience at this time of year, and appreciation for the sterling work of our small grounds team. We are fortunate to have support from a number of organisations, including the Department of Employment, who come in to assist on the grounds. There are many ways to help the Trust by volunteering. If you want further information on volunteer opportunities, just call the office on 01752 665442.
MACHINE STORE CONVERSION There is good news, because finally we have been able to complete the conversion of part of our machine store building into accommodation for our grounds staff. On the ground floor there are shower and toilet facilities, with a restroom and kitchen above. This has been a long process, but we are delighted to have achieved this long-held ambition. It is what our hard working staff deserves. It has been made possible by a generous bequest received last year, and through financial support from the Friends of Ford Park Cemetery to whom we are most grateful.
NEW SHOP Earlier this year we opened a small shop within the Visitor Centre. Locally produced jams and chutneys, and a variety of local interest and history books, are among the items available. There is also a second-hand book section. All profits from the sale of these goods go to support the Trust. Why not call in and browse around.
BLITZ MEMORIAL SERVICE On 21st March there was a remembrance service to mark the 75th anniversary of the Plymouth Blitz, held in the Cemetery’s Victorian Chapel. It was led by the Anglican Bishop of Plymouth, Rt Rev Nick McKinnel, together with Father Peter Coxe of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Mary and St Boniface, the Rev Dave Martin of the Methodist Central Hall, and Royal Naval Chaplain, Rev Peter Warland. Among those in attendance were some of those who had lived through the Blitz in Plymouth, those who have family remembered on the Civilian Memorial and representatives of the emergency services. In 2009 the Trust embarked on a project to interview and record first-hand accounts of Blitz survivors. Moving excerpts from those recordings were read by volunteers. The ministers and the congregation joined Trust volunteers afterwards for refreshments in the Visitor Centre.
NORMANDY VETERANS In February the Trust hosted the presentation of the Legion d’honneure to Normandy veterans, by the Honorary Consul of France. The ceremony was followed by a reception in the Visitor Centre for veterans and their families. The Trust was honoured to have been asked to be a part of such an emotional occasion.
DID YOU KNOW? The Trust has published a second Heritage Trail Booklet. This latest selfguided trail, which can be split into three easy sections, covers another forty-two notable graves, including Jimmy Peters, who in 1906, became the first black rugby player to play for England. It can be purchased from the Office or from the Visitor Centre, price £3.50.
EXHIBITIONS There will have been four exhibitions this year. Between March and May there was an exhibition to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Plymouth Blitz, followed by Sports and Sporting Personalities in Plymouth. Opening on Saturday 30th July we have the next instalment of our continuing look at how Plymouth was affected by the events of the Great War.
People of Plymouth 1916 will also cover the momentous Battle of the Somme, during which there were over a million casualties. Our last exhibition of 2016 will be Nature in Ford Park Cemetery. Among the topics to be covered will be biographies of natural history collectors from Plymouth, and photographs and information on some of the smaller and lesser known creatures of Ford Park. This will run from 8th October to 20th November.
NEW NATURE QUEST The Trust has always endeavoured to promote an active interest in both the Cemetery’s history and its landscape. We have a Children’s Puzzle Trail, a Dictionary of Symbolism and a Find the Cross exploration around Ford Park’s monuments. The latest in this series is a brand new Nature Quest, a fun way to find out about our plants and animals by collecting points and you spot the wildlife. You will find that there is something to see whatever the season. All these publications are available from the Visitor Centre.
Six Spot Burnet Moth
HAREWOOD HOUSE From Monday 6th to Friday 10th June, volunteers took over the café at Harewood House, Plympton, serving sandwiches, teas and home-made cakes. Thanks to everyone’s hard work a magnificent total of £544 was raised.
Jay
SUPPORTING THE TRUST Not everyone is able volunteer or attend events, but there is a way to help Ford Park just sitting at your laptop or tablet. If you shop online, a simple way to raise money is to sign up to easyfundraising.org.uk. Just go to their website and click on “How it works”. It is similar to many loyalty shopping sites, but instead of earning points when you shop, you raise a donation to the Trust. So whether you shop with Amazon or Argos, Tesco or Thomas Cook, there’s something there for you. Do give it a try. It really is easy fund raising!
UPDATE The bric-a-brac table just inside the office building has now raised £2680. Thanks to everyone who has either donated or bought items from the table. Every little helps. And remember you can join our jigsaw puzzle club for only £1, and then swap as many times as you like. We now have 50 members. Simply enquire at the office the next time you’re in the Cemetery. Many thanks to Sam for organising the two schemes.
Finally, thank you for your support. We hope to see you at one of our forthcoming events. Best wishes from all at Ford Park Cemetery.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Wednesday 7th September – Trust AGM. This will be held in the Victorian Chapel at 7.30 pm, with refreshments served afterwards in the Visitor Centre. Wednesday 28th September – World War II Concert and Singalong. Commences at 7.30 pm, tickets £7. With guest appearances from Michael Campari and Lipstick and Lashes. Saturday 26th November – Christmas Fayre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Visitor Centre and the Victorian Chapel. There will be a good variety of stalls so come along and support the Trust and its volunteers. Wednesday 7th December – Our ever popular Carol Service will take place in the Victorian Chapel at 6.30 p.m. Tickets £5. Details of more events can be found in our 2016 Calendar of Events. Copies can be obtained through the office or found on our website at www.ford-park-cemetery.org