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@darwencemetery
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Click on the below Donate Button
Our next Working Party wil be on Saturday
7th October 2017
10.00 am - 1.00 pm
Meet in the Western Cemetery
21st October 2017
4th November 2017
For the full list of 2017 Working Party Dates
Click here.
Ashleigh Primary School visit the Cemetery to tidy up there Adopted War GravesYear 5 students from Ashleigh Primary School visited the cemetery and tidied up their war graves ready for summer.
Well Done Gardening Gang love the plants.
FODC July 2017
Scarlet Fever
On a recent walk around the cemetery a large monument to the Jepson family was pointed out to me which showed that 4 children of Henry Charles and Mary Helen Jepson died between 14th Sep 1902 and 11th Oct 1902.
These 4 deaths were all due to scarlet fever.
At this time children suffering from scarlet fever were often isolated in the Fever Hospital at Bull Hill so one is left to wonder why these children were nursed at home – Whinfield in Whitehall Road.
The Jepsons has 11 children, 5 of which survived including Helen and Mary who both became teachers at Spring Bank School.
Tony Foster FODC July 2017
Our Latest WalkOn the 25th June FODC had its latest walk in the Cemetery, the walk this year was "Terror and Tragedy" and was based on our Cemetery Walk back in 2011 "Torment & Tragedy" showing you the darker side of some of the Graves in Darwen Cemetery.
Once again the walk was led by Tony Foster
This year we used the 2011 Booklet to accompany the walk, if you would like a copy of the Booklet please click the link below
Walk Booklets Page
FODC June 2017
Terror and Tragedy
Our Next Walk in the Cemetery
Our next walk around the Cemetery will be held on Sunday 25th June at 2pm, we start the walk from the Cross of Sacrifice at 2pm
The walk this time will be based on the darker side of some of the Graves in Darwen Cemetery.
"Terror and Tragedy".
The walk will be led by Tony Foster and a Booklet of the walk will be available for £2.00If you would like to read any of the other Walk Booklets that we have issued over the years click on the below link which will take to the Booklet Page.Walk Booklets FODC June 2017
2017 Grass Cutting Plan
Due to funding cuts, BwD Borough council have passed the cutting of the grass in the Western Cemetery to a non-profit friends group called the Good Friends.
The Good Friends will cut the grass every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season and are working in partnership with the Friends of Darwen Cemetery to maximise the areas which can be cut within the restricted budget provided.
During 2017 the grass will be cut the following areas only:-
All Ashes burial sections
A strip around the perimeter of each burial section
Paths to and around the commonwealth War Graves
Section C
Paths to regularly visited family graves
If you attend your family grave regularly and wish a path to be cut, please ring 01254 202019, email info@bsmemorials.co.uk or post a comment on the FODC Facebook page giving your name, the burial section and plot number and your contact details. We will pass the details on to the Good Friends.
The remainder of the cemetery will be allowed to naturalise with long grass and wild flowers.
Please take extra care when walking through the burial sections, especially when the grass is long. Most sections contain uneven ground, sunken graves and fallen headstones.
Important Notice
The cemetery remains the responsibility of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. Any complaints or concerns over health and safety should be directed to the council. FODC June 2017
Early Morning Sunrise
On Monday (24th April) at 6am I woke to a beautiful morning, just as the sunrise was coming over the hill at Blacksnape, with ipad in hand and the dog lead in the other I came into the Cemetery to take some photographs.
The sun was just catching parts of the Cemetery and casting long low shadows behind the graves and trees.
What a great way to start the week!
Photos by Paul Dargan
FODC April 2017
Roy's Amusing take on our 2017 Working Parties
We have added a New Page to our Website, "Roy's Amusing Working Party Photos".
Have a look at the Photographs taken by Roy during our 2017 Working Parties with Roy's amusing comments.
To see our new page look down the left hand block or click on the link below.Click Here FODC April 2017
Our General Meeting and AGMTBA
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at the Friends of Darwen Cemetery
All the best for 2017
Mick passes the baton on to JillMick has has laid down his responsibilities as the Saturday Working Party Leader after our last Working Party of 2016, held on the 10th December.
Mick has passed the baton (or buck) on to Jill who takes over the position from our first Working Party after the New Year.
Mick will continue to attend the Saturday Working Parties and we are sure he will pass on his knowledge when required.
We are very grateful to him for keeping us safe and busy during his period in office, we have achieved so much over the years, thanks to his guidance and expertise.
FODC December 2016
Our Last Working Party for 2016On Saturday 10th December we had our last Working Party of the year.
Here are some photographs from the Morning.
Thank you to everybody who helped out during 2016!
And look forward to seeing you when we start again in January.
Photographs taken by Roy Cox
FODC December 2016
Our Walled GardenDuring 2016 we started work on a quiet corner of the Cemetery right on the edge of Cemetery Road behind the South Lodge.
Work started in this corner because it kept flooding and the path was always very muddy.
We started digging back the mound of soil next to the path to allow the water to escape, as we dug back we found loads of stone mixed in with the soil so we decided to put it to good use.
Below are the Before and After photographs and as you can see we retrieved a lot of stone.
I am sure you can agree the area looks much better now and with the drain cleared should prevent the path from flooding in the future.
Thanks to all who helped in this section.Before
After
FODC December 2016
Minutes from our AGM and Chairmans Report2017
If you would like to read the minutes from our 2017 AGM and Chairmans report, click on the link below.
Minutes of AGM 2017
FODC May 2017
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
In the Press
27th July 2017:
'Friends of Darwen Cemetery have issued a response to claims they are responsible for the state of the grass in Darwen West Cemetery
26th July 2017:
It's very rare that I get worked up about things, but this has really rattled my cage' - pensioner calls for action to improve the 'disgraceful' state of Darwen Old Cemetery.
25th July 2017:
Appeal for groups to tend Darwen Cemetery graves
7th May 2017:
Darwen Cemetery benefits as volunteers put in more than 2,000 hours
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PAGE
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
2017 Working Party Dates Released
Click on this link
2017 Public Meetings Dates Released
Click on this link
Gift Aid
If you wish to donate to the Friends of Darwen Cemetery and you pay Tax, please click on the image and fill in the details required and email it to info@darwencemetery.org.uk or you can print out the document and send it in the post to:
Friends of Darwen Cemetery C/O Unit 2A, Hall Moss Business Park, Bolton Road,
