Dirty old town - Plymouth of the past
As challenging as times are today our basic living standards in terms of public hygiene and spread of common diseases has greatly improved since the 19th century.
Take a step back in time with our guided walk this month and exhibition “The Dirty Old Town” at Ford Park Cemetery.
Walk information
Living conditions with poverty and poor sanitation, work conditions and the impact of common diseases such as cholera on our local community will be explored as you walk around our historic cemetery on a 1.5 hour guided tour on Sunday 21st May from 2pm.
Stout sensible footwear is advised, children under 14 must be supervised by a responsible adult and dogs on leads can attend.
Refreshments will be available in our cafe afterwards.
Exhibition information
Our first class heritage research volunteers have fascinating stories to tell and historical facts to share on the walk and through the exhibition which will be open to the public in the Visitor Centre Chapel from 21 May until 22 June on Tuesdays and Thursday from 10.30am-3.30pm and weekends from 12.30pm-3.30pm.
The walk and exhibition are free of charge but donations to support our efforts as a charitable trust are always welcome and appreciated.
Simplicity in life is beautiful - a lesson for us all
Ford Park Cemetery was the back drop for filming for Plymouth university arts student Isla Ostler’s project.
Isla (Pictured right), who is studying Performing and Production Arts, chose the cemetery as the setting for her film which featured two characters - one portraying a terminally ill person (played by Erin Greehough) who is having a conversation with the other representing death (Jason Williams).
The main message of her film was that the simplicity of life is beautiful and that you don’t need to have achieved something immense for your life to be worthwhile.
Trustee Wendy Coulton says: “As a funeral celebrant I was heartened by the message of Isla’s film. I have yet to conduct a service honouring a life which rated material possessions or social status above how someone made us feel. It is the little things which count and stay with us in our memories.
“It was a pleasure for us to assist Isla with her arts project.
I was particularly impressed when filming activity, which was taking place at a memorial bench, was paused when some visitors arrived to pay their respects in the vicinity of that bench. Isla and her colleagues quietly stepped back and moved away from that part of the cemetery to give the visitors privacy.
We wish Isla the very best with her studies and future.”
SAVE THE DATE: 23 May 2023 War Graves Week
The bountiful beauty of Bluebells
Rev. Robert Stephen Hawker (1803-1875)
- The final resting place for Rev Hawker can be easily found with its large granite cross. If you walk from the Chapel office towards the nearest gate to Ford Park Road you will see the grave on the left from where you are standing on the main path/vehicular route.
Donate
Please consider supporting our efforts.
Events
Tickets £10 from the cemetery office
Including songs from the Forties
Tickets £12 from the Cemetery office
Opening Hours
Grounds
9 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (Summer Time)
9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. (Winter Time)
Office
10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. (Mon to Fri)
Vehicular access is available whenever the grounds are open.
Visitor Centre Exhibition
Building Plymouth Exhibition - Architects & Architecture
From Sunday 7th April until Thursday 23rd May
Opening Times
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.30am to 3.30pm
Sundays 11.30pm - 3.30pm
Craft Club
The Craft Club meets weekly in the Northey Room between 11.00am - 3.00pm every Wednesday - Free tea & coffee - bring your own food or sandwiches available to purchase from the cafe. All welcome.
Puzzle Swap Club
Twice weekly in the Coffee Shop Tuesday & Thursday 10:30 to 3:30 also Saturday & Sunday 12:30 to 3:30 - All welcome.