As part of National Cemeteries Week (May 11th - 18th 2019), Friends of Stafford Cemeteries and Stafford Borough Council Bereavement Services held three open days at the town's cemeteries.
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Eccleshall Road Cemetery, Stafford - Tuesday 14th May, 10am - 2pm
On a beautiful sunny day at the Green Flag Award winning Eccleshall Road cemetery there was the chance to go inside the two 160 year old chapels that have remained closed and unused since the 1960s along with guided tours detailing the history and important events that have taken place at the site.
There was also an incredible grave cleaning demonstration where a headstone from over 100 years ago was cleaned and restored back to it's original state.
Staff from McDonalds restaurant in Stafford town centre also volunteered to do a litter pick as part of a community award scheme, something they have done previously at Eccleshall Road to assist in keeping the cemetery clean and tidy for visitors.
Stone Cemetery - Thursday 16th May, 10am - 2pm
With a military history display and stunning countryside views of Aston and Stone, this was the first time that an open day has been held at Stone Cemetery. Visitors were invited to take a guided tour of the site with it's unique woodland burial and wetland area, which is home to many birds and wildlife.
Visitors were also able to find out about the unique ceramic headstones with links to The Potteries nearby in Stoke-on-Trent. Stone cemetery has also been entered for a Green Flag Award in 2019 which will hopefully mean that all three of our local cemeteries are officially recognised as some of the best publicly accessible parks and green spaces in the UK.
Stafford Crematorium - Saturday 18th May, 10am - 3pm The main event of the week allowed visitors to take a behind the scenes look at the Green Flag Award winning Stafford Crematorium, which is recognised as one of the best in the country.
Visitors were able to meet the professional staff who provided guided tours around the grounds and buildings with lots of interesting information about their systems, procedures and how every cremation and remains are treated with the utmost dignity. There was also the opportunity to get a fascinating, close up look at the state-of-the-art cremators running at temperature.
Other displays included grave digging, calligraphy and Rolls Royce funeral transport.
National Cemeteries Week raises awareness of volunteer groups throughout the UK. Formed in 2017, Friends of Stafford Cemeteries provides support to Stafford Borough Council Bereavement Services. The aim of the Friends Group is to raise public interest in the council's cemeteries and crematorium as well as protecting and preserving them for public benefit as places of remembrance, spirituality, history and nature.
Please get in touch
The Friends Group are very interested in the views of local residents and communities and encourage anyone who has questions or recommendations on how to better maintain, improve and utilise the cemeteries to get in touch. The Friends Group continues to grow each year and now includes local businesses and charities as well as the volunteers who all have a vested interest and enthusiasm for looking after these valued locations.
Find out more
Find out more about Friends Of Stafford Cemeteries by visiting the Friends Group Facebook at www.facebook.com/FriendsOfStaffordCemeteries and by following 'friendsofstaffordcemeteries' on Instagram. You can also email them at friendsofstaffordcemeteries@gmail.com or via Stafford Bourough Council Bereavement Services at bereavementservices@staffordbc.gov.uk.
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