Fpc newsletter winter 2015 16

WINTER 2016

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Ford Park Cemetery Trust

e would like to welcome members old and new to the Trust’s latest newsletter. We hope you had an enjoyable festive season and may we take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year.

News From The Board Of Trustees There has been a recent change in Board personnel. Our Chairman for the last three years, John Boon, has for personal reasons, decided to step down as a trustee from 31st December 2015, having served on the Board since July 2010. He is to continue volunteering for the Trust, leading walks, giving talks and managing the Visitor Centre. Our new Chairman is John Clamp. John has been involved with Ford Park since before the Trust was formed, having attended the original liquidator’s meeting, and being a strong advocate of the formation of a charitable trust to manage the Cemetery. He has served as a trustee throughout the Trust’s existence. John has spent his life in the construction industry as a surveyor, project manager and property manager. He is keen that the Cemetery continues to build on the support of its members, volunteers, trustees and staff in order that it can continue to offer burial services for generations to come.

BBC Radio Devon BBC Radio Devon Action Station volunteers, and staff from City Council contractors, Amey, came into the Cemetery on 22nd October to help clear a section on the eastern boundary, which had previously been kept as an area for wildlife. The Trust is most grateful to those who came along, some from as far away as Exeter and Taunton. The result of just one day’s work was amazing.

Cemetery Of Choice In an effort to increase public awareness of what our Cemetery has to offer as a burial ground, the Board will soon be launching a new initiative, marketing Ford Park as the “Cemetery of Choice.” Many of our burial sections have a distinct character, whether meadow, woodland or formal, and it is hoped by showcasing this variety we can bring more burials, and more financial stability, to Ford Park Cemetery. We have published a new leaflet detailing the choices available. Copies can be obtained from the Cemetery Office if required, either in person or by calling 01752 665442.

Gate Pillars

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For some time the Trust has wanted to improve the appearance of the main lodge entrance by restoring the degraded Grade II listed gate pillars.

Last year, with finance in place, thanks to the generosity of supporters, we were finally able to proceed. The work, carried out by restoration specialists Williams and Burrows, was completed in September. The difference in before and after is most striking.

Before

After

Presentation At the annual service of remembrance for George Hinckley VC on 31st December 2015 the Trust was presented with a Royal Naval Association Plymouth Branch shield in recognition of the support we have given to these annual services. Through our volunteers in the Visitor Centre we, in conjunction with the RNA and George Hinckley’s descendants who still live in the local area, have been able to provide a meeting place and refreshments for those attending the service. Events such as this, and the remembrance services held in memory of Andrew Henry VC, give us the opportunity to celebrate our military history.

Did You Know?

It is noted in our Heritage Trail booklet that there are 799 war graves in Ford Park. Since the publication of the booklet in 2004 more have been discovered, and now in 2016, the Trust maintains the grounds of 811 war graves for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

WINTER 2016

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What To See Lichens, which can be quite beautiful, are often overlooked. They have long been known as indicators of air quality.

Cemeteries and churchyards, and the headstones they contain, are nationally important for lichen conservation. Lichens are two plants in one; a fungus which forms the visible body, and an alga which provides nutrition by utilising sunlight. Many different forms can be found on the monuments all around Ford Park.

Wildlife Last autumn proved to be a good one for the birdwatchers who visit the Cemetery. In addition to at least four tiny Firecrests, a Yellow-browed Warbler was recorded in the north-west quarter on a few days in October. The Yellow-browed Warbler is a vagrant species to Great Britain, breeding in Siberia and usually wintering in S E Asia.

However, small numbers appear in this country in autumn, occasionally overwintering, as one did in the Cemetery/Central Park area in 2008.

One lucky visitor was able to photograph a colourful Hoopoe in the Cemetery in September, and more recently three Ring-necked Parakeets have been seen on bird tables in nearby streets, occasionally flying over Ford Park. It just goes to show that it pays to keep your eyes open. You just never know Yellow-browed Warbler what you might find.

Dogs It is sad to report that we are still experiencing problems with dog fouling in the Cemetery, something which can be extremely unpleasant, and potentially hazardous, for our grounds staff when they are strimming. We would like to take this opportunity to remind owners that dogs are welcome in the Cemetery on condition that they are kept on a leash during their time in Ford Park. Thank you for your cooperation.

Christmas Events It was a busy festive season at the Cemetery. On 28th November we held our Christmas Fayre, which was well supported and raised £705. The choir from Hyde Park Junior School joined us in the Victorian Chapel on Wednesday 2nd December, for our annual Carol Service, led by Mother Elizabeth from the Church of the Ascension in Crownhill. This was followed by refreshments in the Visitor Centre.

There was an Illuminated Christmas Village over the weekend of the 5th and 6th December. All who came enjoyed not only the cottages and churches of the Village, but also mulled wine, and mince pies and cream.

On the Saturday we hosted our first wreath making workshop, and on Sunday the winners of our Christmas raffle were announced. This year the raffle, organised by the Friends of Ford Park Cemetery, raised an impressive £856 for Trust funds.

Our hand-made Christmas wreaths have been even more popular than ever this year, making a net sum of almost £1700. Thanks must go to Maggie Heath and her team of wreath makers for all their hard work in the run up to Christmas.

Road Signs There are now direction signs in place at two busy Plymouth road junctions - Mutley Plain and Pennycomequick. We hope this will help visitors find us more easily. This has been possible thanks to support and encouragement from Councillors Steve Ricketts and Martin Leaves, through the City Council’s Living Streets Scheme. We would also like to thank staff at Council contractors Amey. We are most grateful for all the help received in realising this long-cherished ambition.

Update The bric-a-brac table in the lobby of the Office/Visitor Centre has now raised £2,278 to help support the Trust in its work. We welcome any unwanted items which could be sold. Just pass them into the office.

Every little helps. Thank you.

For further information on items in the newsletter, or on any of the Trust’s activities please contact the Cemetery Office on 01752 665442 or email info@ford-park-cemetery.org