Ford Park Cemetery Trust is hosting a family day on Sunday 1st August with a bug hunt in the grounds and a guided walk about Victorian Symbolism.

The 'Wild about Plymouth' team from the City Museum will be helping with the hunt for creatures in the 34-acre site from 11.30am until 1.30pm and at 2pm Wendy Coulton will lead a walk to point out the symbolism clues on headstones.

Trust Chairman Dr Henry Will said: "It was not unusual in days gone by for families to come to this cemetery on a weekend bringing a picnic with them. The Victorians designed cemeteries like Ford Park to be green landscaped spaces for walks, reflection and what today we would call passive recreation. In addition cemeteries are excellent habitats for wildlife and the memorials provide an insight into how the Victorians expressed their mourning depending on their social class and depth of grief. We try over the course of the year to appeal to all ages and interests."

The event is free of charge. The story of Plymouth in the Blitz is the focus of an exhibition in the Visitor Centre chapel and the public will be able to see the restored Victorian Grade II Listed Chapel. There is also a Puzzle Trail for children aged between about 7 and 11. Refreshments will be available and there is free parking on site. Sensible footwear and clothing for the weather is advisable. Children should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

 

Restored chapel dedicated

The restored Victorian Chapel at Ford Park Cemetery and the War Memorial to remember and honour the Civilian War Dead of Plymouth was dedicated on Wednesday 23rd June by the Rt Revd John Ford, Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Revd Christopher Budd, Roman Catholic Bishop of Plymouth, and the Revd Stuart Clarke and Mr Christopher Clewer, representing the Free Churches in the presence of Mr Robin Barlow, the Deputy Lieutenant, and the Worshipful Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mary Aspinall.

Dr Henry Will MBE, Chairman of Ford Park Cemetery Trust, said: “This is a red letter day in the 162 year history of Ford Park Cemetery.  Not only does it set the seal on six years of planning, negotiation with funders and restoration work but it also marks the rebirth of this historic cemetery which we hope will serve the City as a principal place of burial for another 160 years.

“Although the Dedication takes the form of a Christian service, it is important to emphasise the non-denominational character of the Chapel and of the Cemetery.  From its earliest years Ford Park has opened its gates to people of all faiths and to those of none.  It is a tradition of which we are very proud. We have been able to complete the War Memorial with the help of a private interest free loan of £3,000 which will have to be repaid.  We must not therefore relax our efforts to raise the balance needed.”

Complementing the Chapel with its War Memorial is our newly converted Visitor Centre with its current exhibition, The Defiant City – Plymouth in World War Two.  I would urge Plymothians to visit us and view at first hand these completed projects which they have done so much to fund.” The exhibition is open in the Visitor Centre on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10.30 am to 3.30 pm and Sundays 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm

 

To contact us call 01752 665442, Fax 01752 601177 or
e-mail at info@ford-park-cemetery.org

Our postal address is:

Ford Park Cemetery Trust
Ford Park Road
Plymouth
PL4 6NT