News Update for 2026
The rebuilding of the two fallen-down perimeter walls is now complete, and in addition, a retaining wall below the embankment has been built. Our enormous thanks are given to our volunteer builders who have put in so much time and effort to make this happen – and to those volunteers who had to mix hundreds of barrowloads of cement! Our volunteers had to remove a huge mound of debris along the pathway which was the original entrance to the Sunday School and runs alongside the Chapel Walk public pathway. It was raked level and re-seeded in May to make a green lawned area.
The 1823 main gates to the cemetery needed some attention as they were dropping and starting to catch against each other. We were very fortunate to find a local specialist company to make the necessary repairs in February this year and they now open and close perfectly.
As part of our aim to encourage wildlife into the cemetery, in mid-April we set up a small ‘pond-in-a-pot’. Also, a kind visitor donated an unused bird-box and one of our volunteers has made another. These have been placed high up in two of the large trees. These new features complement a bird-bath which was donated earlier. In addition, to complement our composting routine, a rotatable composting bin was donated by a relative of one of our ‘residents’, and a further bin was donated by a neighbour. This bin will be used to create leaf-mould.
Just in time for the grass-growing season, we were grateful to Bradford District Metropolitan Council Community Support for East Bradford for granting us funding for a new petrol lawn-mower. The new mower cuts really well and doesn’t leave clippings behind, which the old one did.
Although we already have a seating area, when a volunteer donated an unused wooden bench, we located an additional area for it. Another volunteer stripped off the peeling paint, sanded it and re-painted it in a sage-green colour. The builders then laid some foundation flags and fastened it down. It has been very popular with visitors as the view from this seat takes in the whole of the cemetery in all its splendour!
Cemetery in Bloom Open Day
Our latest fund-raising event was to hold an Open Day on Saturday 20th June, inviting visitors to come and admire a myriad of plants and flowers we have planted throughout the cemetery, and at the same time learn about the history of the cemetery and some of its ‘residents’. The weather was perfect and the event was well attended. We offered our visitors a variety of home-baking and refreshments which was enjoyed by all. We also held an indoor event at the Victoria Social Club just a short walk from the cemetery. We provided an exhibition of the cemetery; photos of the work the Friends have done over the last 6 years, some of the repairs made, some of the interesting iconography, and some of the flowers and wildlife seen. In addition, we had a well-stocked plant stall, craft stalls and a raffle. A representative from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust was also in attendance to offer advice and encourage visitors to attract wildlife to their own gardens.
The feedback for the event was 100% positive, which provided the Friends with welcome acknowledgement that all their hard work has been appreciated!
Repairs to monuments
After completing the reconstruction of our walls, our volunteer builders turned their hands to using their other skills in repairing some of our monuments. Please see the ‘photo album’ page for examples.
Inscription restorations
We recently discovered that another of our volunteers has a hidden talent for painting! Sue has been able to take over the inscription restorations from Karen, who has unfortunately been unable to continue due to ill health. Sue has shown infinite patience and dedication in re-painting headstone inscriptions letter-by-letter. Please see the ‘photo album’ page for examples.