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St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery – Interim Report August 2017

Work continues apace on the cemetery project with regular sessions every Wednesday & Friday and to date we have had good support from volunteers with between 6 and 12 people regularly turning up to assist. The major part of the site has been cleared of undergrowth and trees and shrubbery have been cut back to improve the overall appearance of the place and facilitate access to all parts of the cemetery although there is still quite a bit of work to do before the site can be fit for general access by the public.

Major works that still need to be carried out include the rebuilding, and fencing off, of the South boundary wall, the creation of a vehicle access in the West boundary wall and improvements to the main access off West Road including the installation of a handrail and the building of a small retaining wall to improve the general appearance of the frontage.

​In conjunction with the ground works, several grave sites have been uncovered and research has been carried out on these resulting in considerable information coming to light about the persons interred in the grave sites.

​Several fallen graves have been re-erected and, again, information collated from the revealed headstones.

Work continues apace on the cemetery project with regular sessions every Wednesday & Friday and to date we have had good support from volunteers with between 6 and 12 people regularly turning up to assist. The major part of the site has been cleared of undergrowth and trees and shrubbery have been cut back to improve the overall appearance of the place and facilitate access to all parts of the cemetery although there is still quite a bit of work to do before the site can be fit for general access by the public.

Major works that still need to be carried out include the rebuilding, and fencing off, of the South boundary wall, the creation of a vehicle access in the West boundary wall and improvements to the main access off West Road including the installation of a handrail and the building of a small retaining wall to improve the general appearance of the frontage.

​In conjunction with the ground works, several grave sites have been uncovered and research has been carried out on these resulting in considerable information coming to light about the persons interred in the grave sites.

​Several fallen graves have been re-erected and, again, information collated from the revealed headstones.

Award of Best New Project

As mentioned in an earlier update the project was entered into the Northumberland County Council “Love Northumberland” competition and we were fortunate enough to win the “Best New Project” category. Presentation of the award was made by the Duchess of Northumberland at Alnwick Garden. We have also been entered in the “Prudhoe In Bloom” competition.

Hexham Courant

​The cemetery project was the subject of an extensive article in the August 18th edition of the Hexham Courant and this has aroused considerable interest with several enquiries subsequently being received. Len Franchetti was contacted by a couple from New Zealand and has been able to show them the family grave and supply valuable genealogy information.

​Sharing success

Len Franchetti and Ed Graham have visited St. James Church, Benwell who have been engaged in a similar project for almost a decade and a visit has been arranged for September 9th to see what they have achieved which we hope will be well supported. Further visits to other sites are planned and it is hoped that more society members will take the opportunity to join these.

Grant awards have made a difference

We have been fortunate in obtaining some grants to support the work being carried out.
£1000 from Prudhoe Town Council
£2000 from the Land of Oak and Iron Scheme
£250 for winning the “Love Northumberland” category.
The team are pursuing several other sources of grant aid as there are still several major projects which will need capital expenditure including wall repairs, topsoil for infilling uneven areas and signage (Information boards). There is also the need to acquire more tools including a lawnmower, leaf blower, wheelbarrows and other small tools.

And thanks to our brilliant volunteers

To date the volunteers have carried out some 1200 hours of work on the project and whilst support is still quite buoyant, we are actively seeking additional manpower, particularly younger people who might be better equipped for some of the heavier manual jobs.

​We’re also looking forward to welcoming soldiers from Albemarle Barracks to help with some of the heavier work. Our thanks to Guy Opperman, who recently visited the site, for contacting the Barracks on our behalf.