Sponsored sleep over went like a dream

A sponsored sleepover in a derelict chapel went like a dream at Ford Park Cemetery – organisers are hopeful that the money raised from the sleep challenge and community barbeque on Friday 15 August may be close to £5,000. Over 20 volunteers bunked down for the night in the Grade II Listed Victorian Gothic Revival Chapel which is earmarked for restoration of the cemetery trust’s Rejuven8 appeal successfully raises the target £60,000 from the city in match-funding to secure a Heritage Lottery Grant worth £463,000.
Trustee Wendy Shaw said: “The wet weather didn’t deter about sixty supporters and volunteers from enjoying a barbeque supper and storytelling before the sponsored sleep in the chapel began. For some it was a long night because there were no creature comforts but it was a one-off experience not to be missed. We really appreciated the turnout for the barbeque and the support and enthusiasm of the Lord Mayor of Plymouth Cllr Brian Vincent and the Lady Mayoress Mrs Pauline Murphy. The art exhibition in the chapel over the weekend also generated orders and the artists have kindly offered to donate some of the money from sale of their work, which included photography inspired by and featuring Ford Park Cemetery.”

Pictured:- Lord Mayor Cllr Brian Vincent and Lady Mayoress Mrs Pauline Murphy give a personal donation of £100 for Ford Park Cemetery’s Rejuven8 appeal to the Trust’s chairman Dr Henry Will

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Wet weather didn’t put a dampener on spirits when staff from Co-operative Funeral Services helped Ford Park Cemetery in Plymouth with grounds maintenance.

The hardy team from Plymouth & Southwest Co-operative Society cleared and area around 30 graves on a wet Wednesday. The efforts of the volunteers – Peter Parker, Steve Watt, Alison Belsham, Shaun Maunder and Martyn Nyman – now means it should be easier for follow-up maintenance.

Cemetery grounds manager Dave Wickett said: “The Co-op staff had to work in pretty dreadful conditions – it was wet and muddy. With all the best will in the world we simply wouldn’t be able to do what they achieved because there’s not enough hours in the day for our own small maintenance team to keep on top of this type of landscape work across the 34 acres. The wet weather has meant the grass has been growing quicker than our resources to cut it back so having this extra support is really appreciated.”

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Lord Mayor backs sleepover to keep Rejuven8 appeal on target

The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Brian Vincent, has given his support to a sponsored sleep over event Ford Park Cemetery Trust has organised to raise funds for its Rejuven8 appeal.

The September deadline is looming and there is still £24,000 to raise in match funding, if the Trust and the city of Plymouth isn’t to lose the Heritage Lottery Fund
Grant of £463,000, towards the restoration of the Grade II Victorian chapel into a beautiful venue for funeral services and community events and conversion of the other chapel into a heritage centre.

Cllr Vincent, pictured left with the Lady Mayoress, personally donated £100 towards the Rejuven8 appeal and Peter Betteridge of The Bed Expert kindly loaned a bed for a media photocall to raise awareness about the fundraising sleepover on Friday 15 August. That night there will also be a community barbeque – tickets cost £6. More information is available from the cemetery office manager Jackie, pictured with Trustee Jean Northey and office colleague Trish on 01752 665442.

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Rejuven8 appeal boosted by ‘summer’ fair

Rain failed to dampen spirits and fundraising activity at the Ford Park Cemetery Fair on Saturday (21 June) when £834 was raised towards the Rejuven8 appeal.

It was standing room only when musicians from Plymouth Youth Concert Band performed in the Victorian Gothic Revival chapel. The cake, toys and bric-a-brac stalls proved to be popular and the raffle included prizes generously donated by Plymouth Raiders, Plymouth Theatre Royal, South West Co-operative Society, B&Q, Sue Rapson and Plymouth Pavilions. Fry’s Nursery and The Dove Project donated plants for a stall and Ted Pusey and his grandson Benjamin Parry gave a donation from the sale of their woodturning craftsmanship. Crownhill Fruit and Veg Shop donated a Basket of fruit basket for the lucky programme prize.

The dress code was wellies and waterproofs for the Bug Hunt led by Helen Fothergill and the City Museum service ‘Wild About Plymouth’ team.

Trust Chairman Dr Henry Will said: “Ford Park Cemetery Trust has secured the majority of the project funding to restore the Grade II Listed Victorian chapel into a beautiful community venue and convert the other Chapel into a Heritage Centre.  The summer fair last weekend was very much a community event with regular supporters and new faces coming on site to enjoy music and boost our fundraising effort. We are now in the critical final phase and do not underestimate just how difficult it is going to be to raise the remaining £34,600 by the September deadline. It would be a tragedy if we lost the £463,000 HLF money because we could not bring in this match-funding. Our volunteers and staff have worked exceptionally hard to keep the momentum going but time is pressing and it really is up to the people of Plymouth now to not let this unique opportunity pass us by. We will never have this chance again.”

Dawn chorus hit a high note press release here

Dove Project press release here...

Boost from Landfill Communities Fund press release here...

Dedication ceremony for airmen press release here...

 

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