Darwen Cemetery Heritage Open Day 2016

Sunday 11th September.

On Sunday 11th September the Friends of Darwen Cemetery are holding a Heritage Open Day in the Western Cemetery.

We start at 1pm at the Whitehall Community Building, in the Rose Garden on Whitehall Road, Darwen (the postcode is BB3 2LH) where we will be holding a display on our achievements over the last 12 months and our plans for the next 12 months in the Cemetery.

At 2pm we have another one of our popular walks through the Western Cemetery, we start the walk at the Cross of Sacrifice at the Lodges entrance to the Cemetery.

The walk this year is a follow up to our walk in 2013 which was based on the Women of Darwen, this year the walk will based on Some Men who Made Darwen, once again the walk will be led by Tony Foster.

                                                                   FODC August 2016

1916 - 2016 Somme Tribute

Commemorative Bench dedicated to the Women of Darwen and the Role they played in WW1

On a rainy Thursday, 7th July 2016 in the Western Cemetery, many gathered including some School Children from Ashleigh Primary School to unveil a Granite Bench placed on the edge of Section C near to the Cross of Sacrifice.

The  bench has been donated by Darwen Townswomen Guild,
Crown Paints and Brent Stevensen Memorials.

The banch was unveiled by the High Sherrif of Lancaster.

The inscribed bench was unveiled on behalf of the Darwen Townswomen's Guild to honour the women of the area who supported soldiers during the Great War.

Around 1,300 soldiers from the town died in the war, but Cllr John East, part of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery group, said "what is often forgotten is the vital role women played".

If you want to see how the Pupils of Ashleigh Primary School made of the visit to the Cemetery, click on the link below

Asheleigh Primary School visit to Darwen Cemetery

- - - - - - - - - - -

2nd Lieutenant Edward Deakin Ashton

FODC tribute to the Battle of the Somme. 

2nd Lieutenant Edward Deakin Ashton who died serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers on the 1st July 1916, during the very first day of the Battle.  

Bold Venture Park Scouts Pay a Tribute

On the 1st July Bold Venture Park Scouts commemorated the Centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme by visiting the grave of 2nd Lieutenant Edward Deakin Ashton who died during the battle on the very first Day.

For the Full story of 2nd Lieutenant Edward Deakin Ashton

Click on the Link Below

2nd Lt

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

George Pickup

Our Beautiful Heather

The heather bed in the new part of the Western Cemetery and separates the boundry between section 1B and section 3 is looking really good at the moment, well done to all the volunteers who keep it looking so nice.

                                                        FODC April 2016

                                                            Photographs by Alan Walton

Sad News

Sadly, on 13th March we lost Joan Briggs a valued member of the Friends of Darwen Cemetery volunteer group.

Joan has worked with us, along with her husband Colin, for many years. Joan spent many hours in the nature garden and lovingly tended the plants.

Just before she passed away Joan had got approval from the trustees of FODC to replant the nature garden with fresh primulas. Due to her sudden death she was unable to do this, however her family including her husband Colin, daughter - in - law Nicola and grandson Alfie completed the task for her. I think you will agree their efforts are stunning and Joan would have been very proud of them all.

When Colin went to collect the plants from Four Seasons Garden Centre he was told someone had already paid for them in Joan's name. On behalf of Colin, his family, and FODC can I please thank our anonymous donor for their generosity.

                                                             FODC April 2016

Minutes from our AGM and Chairmans Report

2016

Check out our New Booklet Page


If you missed any of our Cemetery Walks over the years, these booklets are still available to buy!

You could complete the walk yourself as each booklet has a map inside showing you the route of each walk and the area each grave on the walk are located.

Or you could buy the booklet just to see the history or story of the Graves featured on the walk from the comfort of your arm chair! 


If you wish to see other Walk Booklets for sale click the below link.

Walk Booklets

Friends of Darwen Cemetery 

Postal Address

Friends of Darwen Cemetery
C/O Unit 2A, Hall Moss Business Park
Bolton Road, Bull Hill, Darwen, 
Lancashire BB3 2TT

                                                              FODC July 2014

2016 Working Party Dates Released

Click on this link

2016 Public Meetings Dates Released

Click on this link

---