Mystery Man revealed
See Home Page
Yes, it was Our John after all! "I got fed up with Harold moaning that I never got my hands dirty so I carted a couple of loads of wood chippings up to the ashes circle," he explained. "But it was raining a bit and I soon got fed up. I was out of breath and couldn't talk to anyone. It was awful. But they can't moan now. I've actually done something!" However, he added ominously: "Never again!
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FODC September 2011
The Eccles Shorrock legacy to Darwen is marked at last
Darwen marked World Mental Health Day in style by unveiling a headstone on the unmarked grave of its greatest benefactor, Eccles Shorrock.
Eccles Shorrock began the construction in 1862 of India Mills and its magnificent 300-foot Italianate chimney that still dominates his home town. It was opened in 1868 by the Marquis of Hartington and described by Evan Leigh in The Science of Modern Cotton Spinning as "one of the noblest specimens of mill architecture which this country affords".
The cost of the mills, the American Civil War and the subsequent cotton famine and his benevolent generosity to his town and his workers bankrupted Eccles Shorrock by 1882.
He lived under lock and key for years in various asylums, a victim of what is now known as bipolar disorder after he went bankrupt in 1882. He was buried in an unmarked grave at Darwen Cemetery after a private ceremony.
Hundreds of his former workers lined the roads to th
e cemetery but the stigma surrounding his illness caused local newspapers to avoid any mention of his illness. The Blackburn Standard said: "To the poor, he was exceedingly kind and charitable."
A large group of Friends, supporters, local folk interested in the town's heritage and several descendants of Eccles Shorrock braved heavy rain. Among those who attended were Darwen librarian Mary Painter and former cemetery manager Mik Ince who was given a warm welcome.
The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Karimeh Foster, unveiled the black granite memorial at the vault from where the Grade II* chimney could be seen rising into the heavy afternoon mist, a mile to the north.
The Rev Geoff Tolley dedicated the headstone which had been paid for by India Mills and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and with a kind defraying of a portion of the 
cost by stonemasons Brent Stevenson. Harold Heys spoke of the Shorrock legacy to the town and Tony Foster explained the history of the Shorrock-Ashton vault.
Said Friends chairman John East: "The weather was terrible but we had a good turn-out. Everyone was very pleased with how well it all went and it was a fitting way for us to mark World Mental
Health Day."
FODC October 2011
Photographs by Heather Stanley and John East
A thank you from his granddaughter
Julian Marshall, a great-granddaughter of Eccles Shorrock, has emailed to compliment the Friends on the new headstone. She though our choice of date, on the eve of World Mental Health Day, was very suitable. It was "a clever idea to make the link in public awareness."
Mrs Marshall, who lives near Chichester, wrote the definitive history of Eccles Shorrock nearly 20 years ago. There are copies in Darwen Library.
She thought Brent Stevenson's headstone looked splendid and the white lettering in the dark stone "very distinguished." She added: "I think you have all achieved something very special - thank you."
Harold Heys was of some assistance when she was writing her book and has kept in touch. He sent her photographs and newspaper cuttings and has promised to send her more information.
FODC October 2011
Bat Walk
Our first bat walk took place on Friday 9th September on a clear night after days of rain.
The walk was led by Dave Anderson from the East Lancashire Bat Group assisted by members of the group.
There was a really good turnout of over 60 people of all ages, including 10 Beavers with their families.
As it was a clear night we had to wait some time for it to go dark and while we were waiting Dave showed us a rare bat - a Whiskered Bat - that he had been called upon to rescue when it was found clinging to a shop front in the centre of Burnley.
This was the first live bat that many people had ever seen.
The Bat Group had brought Bat Detectors and we were shown how these worked and how different species gave out different signals so they could be identified.
The most common bat is the pipistrelle and as it became dark and we moved round the cemetery we were able to detect these bats feeding on insects above the shrubbery.
As we went higher up the cemetery the detectors showed a different bat and we were thrilled to find we too had the rare Whiskered Bat in the cemetery. 
The clear night meant that many of the bats had travelled away to feed over water where there would be many insects.
The walk was very informative and we hope to have more bat walks in the future, perhaps with smaller groups with some for children and some for adults.
Rosemary Jackson, Photographs Diane Davies
September 2011
Our Dry Stone Wall Seat is completed.
Earlier this month we completed the Dry Stone Wall Seat in the Nature Garden.
Congratulations to Mick Walsh and the team who have managed to build the seat from nothing but recycled Stone from around the Cemetery, the cost to make was next to nothing apart from some grazed fingers.
Well Done!!
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Click on the image to see more Photographs
FODC September 2011
Autumn Flower Champagne from Himalayan Balsam
Click on the below link to see a recipe for Autumn Flower Champagne as seen on the ITV Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Possibly some adventitious FODC member might have ago at making the Champagne, plus what a great way to recycle Himalayan Balsam in the Cemetery at the same time.
Any takers - look forward to a celebration drink - perhaps a fund raising opportunity. for wine and cheese !!!!!
John East September 2011
American interest in Our Martha
The work of the Friends and the co-operation of Brent Stevenson in re-erecting the statue of Martha Jane Bury (See our Archive section) has stirred interest from across the Atlantic.
British history scholar Barbara Blaszak "discovered" Martha Jane while working on the Co-operative Movement and its Women's Guild in New York and she has been in touch with Friends chairman John East and local historians Tony Foster and Harold Heys.
Professor Blaszak said she was "absolutely delighted" to learn about our efforts to rehabilitate the cemetery. She and her husband had tried to find Martha's grave when they visited Darwen a few years ago but were unsuccessful.
However, she was able to use archival material from "Darwen's beautiful Carnegie library" to help her write an article for a scholarly journal and for the Dictionary of National Biography.
She wrote: "I always resented the way the Women's Guild general secretary, Margaret Llewelyn Davies, wrote Martha out of Co-operative history after Martha died in the middle of a controversy the two women were having over divorce law reform and women's suffrage. It seemed so cheap and catty, yet Davies' reputation certainly hasn't suffered in consequence. History is no fairer than life, is it?"
Harold sent her some photos and she told him how shocked she had been at the state of Darwen Cemetery. We're doing our best, Barbara! But it ain't easy.
To read Marthas full story click on the link below
Link to Martha
Harold Heys September 2011
Richard Westhead
"Richard Westhead who is 90 years old and laid the wreath at last years FODC Remembrance Day commemoration has appeared on Granada Reports Local Heroes.
For many years he organised the British Legion Poppy Day Appeal and made crosses to go on all the war graves in Darwen Cemetery. Last year the poppy crosses were placed on the graves by FODC with lots of help from local schoolchildren.
Richard is a D Day veteran and the FODC would like to pay tribute to his work in Darwen and his example of voluntary work both in tidying up in the Bold Venture area and making the crosses for 90 plus war graves in Darwen Cemetery. We hope he and his wife Margaret can again lay the wreath at this year's Remembrance Day Service at Darwen Cemetery.
Richard is a wonderful example and role model of someone making a difference to the town he is proud to live in."
Click on the link below to see a clip on Richard that appeared on Granada Reports recently.
http://www.itv.com/granada/pride-of-britain60406/
FODC September 2011
Lancashire cemeteries' tales of heroes and villains
The FODC has been given a good plug by the BBC.
You'll find the links to the full story at the bottom of this piece.
You can press the first link to take you to direct to our own In the Press Page or press the second link which will take you direct to the BBC News Website
The feature was written by Emma Stanley, Harold and Christine Heys' daughter who has had her family up at the cemetery helping us from time to time.
She went up again and took a few photos which also appear in the article.
Her piece draws a comparison with other North West cemeteries which are struggling with thefts and vandalism.
It's just a pity that the article appeared as the elegant stem on the rose at the centre of the ashes garden was found to have been broken off by yobs.
You can click on the first link to take you direct to our own 'In the Press' Page or click on the second link which will take you direct to the BBC News Website
In the Press
FODC August 2011
Darwen Gala 2011
On Saturday 20th August 2011 the Friends of Darwen Cemetery attended Darwen Gala, this follows on from our first visit last year.
We attracted a lot of visitors to our stand through out the day and hopefully our visit to the Gala will lift the profile of FODC and the Cemetery and helped us to raise £145.00 in the process.
The weather was fine until about 4pm when the heavens opened and the Gala came to a early end.
We would like to thank everybody who donated bottles for the Tombola, toys to go in to the Lucky Dip and those members who gave up their time on the days leading up to the Gala and on the Saturday to help running the stand during the course of the day.
FODC August 2011
Dead Art? Then and Now Competition 2011
The Memorial Awareness Board are currently running their
'Dead Art? Then and Now' competition for a second year.
Once again it is sponsor by StoneGuard and they are offering a prize of £1000 to the entry which best captures the beauty of stone memorials,
then and now.
For more information please visit the below website link
FODC August 2011
FODC become a Registered Charity
We are pleased to announce that we are now a Registered Charity
No 1142815.
To comply with charity law we have changed the wording of our Objectives in our Constitution.
As well as improving our legal standing we also hope to be able to access new funding streams.
FODC Constitution 2011.pdf
Our 3rd News Bulletin is now availiable
Update on:-
The Ashes Memorial Garden,
The Nature Memorial Garden
Our Next Walk - Halloween Walk
Bat Walk through the Cemetery
Our USA Visitors
Dates for your Diary
Do you remember the Chapels in the Cemetery?
FODC become a Charity.
So much to get in the News Bulletin we have had to spread it over 4 pages.
Click on the link to go to the Bulletin Page.
link to Bulletin Page
FODC August 2011
Would you like to go on a Bat Walk in the Cemetery?
On Friday 9th September FODC are hosting a Bat Walk through the Western Cemetery with the help of East Lancashire Bat Group.
This is a free session and we plan to meet in the Nature Garden off Lark Street at 7.30pm.
Please wear sensiable footwear and you may wish to bring a tourch.
Children should be accompanied by an adult.
For further information please contact Rosemary Jackson on 01254708828 or email her on
rosemaryjackson@darwencemetery.org.uk
If you would like to print the poster click on the image.
Rosemary Jackson August 2011
Hannah views the finished Rose
Hannah Jackson and family are photgraphed next to the recently errected Rose Plinth in the Ashes Garden, Hannah (3rd from the Left) designed the Rose in a competition last year, the Rose was kindly made and donated by Brent Stevenson Memorials
FODC July 2011
Are you related to Richard Hurst Eccles?
(1860-1861)
Richard was the first burial in Darwen Cemetery on 2nd June 1862.
Are you related to the infant?
If so than please contact Tony Foster (tonyfoster@darwencemetery.org.uk or 0161 764 2821
so that we can add to the information we have on this important child.
Co-op Big Community Vote.
The Coop Big Community Vote has now closed on the 31st July 2011, we will find out if we have won the £2,000 on the 1st September 2011
if you voted for FODC we would like to say a big
Thank You!
FODC August 2011
Exhibition up and running
The Friends' exhibition covering the 150 years of the old cemetery went on display at Darwen Library on June 18.
Both walls of the exhibition room are covered with photographs and information.
It was compiled and displayed by Tony Foster and Harold Heys with assistance from Lena Talbot.
Librarian Mary Painter said: "It's a very bright exhibition, especially considering the rather sombre subject." Tony has also done a display in one of the glass cases in the foyer.
Harold Heys June 2011
If you missed our latest tour
Link to the Tours Page
If you missed our latest tour of the Cemetery and would like to purchase the booklet please click on the link to go direct to our Tours Page
FODC June 2011
Celebrating the
first burial
The sun came out and the cemetery was looking as good as it has done for 30 years or more as the Friends of Darwen Cemetery marked the pauper's grave of the first interment at the cemetery - exactly 150 years on. There is now a marble marker on the grave of 15-month-old Richard Hurst Eccles of Red Earth Mount. He had died of "teething", a common cause of death in the mid-Victorian days.
The unveiling ceremony was done by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Karimeh Foster and Lord Darwen, fourth Baronet Paul Davies who had travelled up from his home near Oxford together with his uncle Stephen and sister Sarah.
After the ceremony, attended by some 60 people, three members of the local clergy gave blessings - the Rev. Andrew Holliday for the Church of England, Fr Peter Wilkinson, representing the Roman Catholic Church and the Rev Geoff Tolley representing the United Reformed Church.
Earlier in the afternoon, Lord Darwen and his relatives enjoyed a very interesting tour of the town. Tony Foster and I showed them round the houses and mills the Davies family used to own. They saw Waterfield mill and the site of Greenfield Mill. They toured Garden Village which was built for their workers by the Davies family just before the Great War, and they saw houses such as Heatherfield, Woodside Bank and Moorthorpe before visiting the family vault and the top of Section C.
Mrs David Marsh made the party very welcome at Moorthorpe and she showed them the deeds of the house that revealed that two of Lord Darwen's forefathers had lived there around 100 years ago.
I spoke on Gandhi's visit to Darwen - he had been invited by Percy Duckworth, the first Baron Darwen - and the later history of the family. Chairman John East presented him with a folder containing a lot of the Davies history from 100 years of involvement with the town.On the following morning John showed them Duckworth Street UR Church and they had coffee and biscuits with the Mayor and her consort, Councillor David Foster, in her parlour at Blackburn Town Hall.
Lord Darwen, who succeeded to the title only the week before his visit, on the death of his father Roger, lives near Oxford with his wife and children. His company designs and manufactures sustainable housing.
In a gracious speech at the dinner he thanked everyone for making his visit such a resounding success. He said he and his sister and uncle had thoroughly enjoyed their brief visit and he warmly complimented the Friends on all the hard work they had done to brighten up the cemetery.
For more photographs on our celebrations click on this link
For loads more photographs click on this link to go to our Gallery page
Harold Heys June 2011
Photographs by Paul Dargan & Rosemary Jackson
Donation from Darwen Motorcycle Club
Back in March we were given a donation of £285 from Darwen Motorcycle Club.
Every year the club gives a donation to a good cause in the local area and this year they had been told of the good work the friends were doing in the Cemetery and they decided to choose FODC for this years donation.
The donation was collected on behalf of FODC by Rosemary and Len Jackson and David Shorrock at their meeting at the Borough Pub.
Thank you!
FODC June 2011
How many can you spot?
There's quite a contrast between the headstones and memorials of the cemetery's early days and the more modest, smaller ones of today. It is almost certainly a question of cost, but also a question of taste and those twin imposters of our everyday life "elf 'n' safety".
When was the last time that Brent Stevenson Memorials or Howarth's of Astley Bridge were asked to fashion a tall stone memorial featuring perhaps a torch or a draped urn?
Many of the old headstones in Darwen Cemetery have a wide variety of adornments and here, based on an excellent book on the renovation of Undercliffe Cemetery in Bradford, is a list of symbolism in funerary art.
How many examples can you find in Darwen Cemetery?
Anchor: Hope or being "at rest"
Book with a cross: Faith
Columns:
Complete: A full life
Broken: A life cut short
Cross: On three steps - faith, hope and love
Dove and olive sprig: Hope or promise
Fish: Faith
Hourglass: Traditional symbol of time
Ivy: An evergreen; immortality
Lamp: A light to heaven; knowledge
Lily: Purity
Lion: Courage and strength
Oak leaves: Victory
Palm: Triumph
Obelisk: Eternal life
Phoenix: Christ's resurrection
Rocks: Christian steadfastness
Rose: Lack of sin
Scroll: Symbol of life or time.
Scythe: Passage of time
Shell: Pilgrimage to heaven
Sundial: Passage of time
Torch: Immortality
Tree: Love of Christ
Urns:
Draped and empty: Death
Flaming: New life
Wheat: Fruitfulness harvested
HAROLD HEYS
(May 2011)
Wedding Tree planted for William and Catherine by the Friends of Darwen Cemetery.
A tree donated by Tony Kirkham formerly of Darwen and now Head of the Arboretum at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.
The Tree is an Elm and will shortly have a commemoration plaque - saying "Planted to commemorate the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Friday 29th April 2011 - by the Friends of Darwen Cemetery."
FODC April 2011
The Tulips are looking just great!
The Tulips on the Ashton Memorial, planted by former Committee Member Susan Smith, have now opened and are looking just great!
The Council have also contributed with the supply of the other flowers planted.
Thanks Susan from all at FODC
FODC April 2011
The Ashes Garden starts to take shape
During May the new Ashes Garden, just above Section C, has started to take shape, Brent Stevenson Memorials have already laid the foundations for the circular path, the plinth for the Central Rose and one of the three seating areas.
A scan of the plan for the Ashes Garden
FODC April 2011
Great job by Payback
THE Probation Service's Payback team has been back at Darwen Cemetery
working hard to improve the area.
Under the supervision of David Luke, small groups have been spending a few
days around the end of February and early March doing a variety of jobs.
For the full story click on this link
Laying of planings (reclaimed asphalt)
behind the South Lodge
Harold Heys
March 2011
Pat on the back from MP
JAKE BERRY has promised to help out the Friends of Darwen Cemetery - not with a massive government grant but a bit of digging on one of their regular working parties later this year. "No problem." he said with a smile.
The MP for Rossendale and Darwen was very impressed with the work being done by the group and by the lads from the Probation Service's Payback team who have been in action at the cemetery recently.
He was on his way from a constituency surgery in Darwen to a second at Edgworth and wasn't dressed to help out with the digging and the cutting this time. But he promised to have a go for himself next time.
Rosemary and Diane give Jake a quick tour and come across Anne beavering away.
Mr Berry told Friends' chairman John East that his group and others in the town were setting an excellent example and he hoped they would all go from strength to strength.
Pictured with Mr Berry are (from left) secretary Rosemary Jackson, Diane Davies who is in charge of the war graves, and John East.
(February 2011)
Right, said Fred; that's it!
A familiar face will be missing from the two Darwen Cemeteries with the early retirement of Fred James. But it won't be for long!
Fred, who has well over 20 years service behind him, has promised to call round from time to time and help the Friends with their voluntary work. Once he has done a spot of decorating and been on holiday.
Says Fred: "I've enjoyed working in the cemeteries. It can be serious work, but we've had a lot of laughs along the way and I know I'm going to miss it."
John East, chairman of the Friends, says: "Fred can handle just about any heavy equipment you can think of. His enthusiasm and humour are going to be missed. We are very pleased that he'll be keeping in touch."
(February 2011)
The Big Lottery -
Awards for All
In December 2010 we were successful in our bid to the Big Lottery Awards for All for £10,000. The bid was for several things including a Nature Memorial Garden to be built on the site of the derelict rose garden site in the newer part of the Old Cemetery. A group of our volunteers recently met up on site to discuss how we are going to tackle the garden. We will be able to purchase seating and plants to encourage wildlife and make it a place of peace and tranquillity for people to visit.
Work will be carried out refixing some of the broken memorials in the vicinity of the Nature Memorial Garden to make this area safe for use. We would have liked to refix many more but our funding is limited. (Hopefully we can raise more in the future to make a real impact in the Cemetery)
We would like to work with young people of the town who have signed up to volunteer and incorporate their ideas. We aim to run some sessions/demonstrations in the garden for all ages led by experts in their field in things such as building bird, bat boxes and insect houses, bat walks, dry stone walling, craft sessions etc
As well as running sessions in the Nature Garden we will be able to offer FODC volunteers training such as First Aid; Fundraising; Working with Volunteers; Using Power Tools, etc.
We will also be able to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Old Cemetery with events starting in June and an Exhibition in Darwen Library.
We have already been able to replace a very old laptop we were using for administration of the group and have purchased a laser printer to go with it, so this will really help with the whole project. We will be advertising all the events on our website, local press and on our notice boards, so look out for them running from June onwards. Everyone is welcome to join in and if you would like to volunteer please come to one of our meetings.
(Rosemary Jackson February 2011)
Our First Working Party of 2011
Our first working party of 2011 was held on Saturday 29th January in freezing tempratures and once again it was the Rhodis that kept us entertained!
As at the end of last year the Rhodis in Section C of the Old Cemetery have once again taken up all our time, removing barrow after barrow of chippings and triming back the Rhodis still left standing. No doubt the Rhodis will keep us busy for months to come.
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Ann moving the Rhodis
Diane moves the chippings.
Bird Count 2011
Rosemary conducted a RSPB 1 hour bird count on Saturday
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Rosemary conducting the Bird Count
The Birds counted in the 1 hour were 3 blackbirds, 12 blue tits, 7 carion crows, 1 chaffinch, 4 great tits, 2 magpies,
7 robins, 8 woodpigeon and 1 wren.
(January 2011)
Do you want to know how to find out more information about the War Graves?
If you want to know how you can find out more information on any of the War Graves in the Cemetery, click on the below link, Tony Foster has compiled an easy to follow, step by step and where to find guide on how you could find out further information.
Hints on how you can find out more information
(downloadable PDF file)
(November 2010)
FRIENDS OF DARWEN CEMETERY
Books, booklets and pamphlets
Available for loan to Members - contact Rosemary Jackson for details (rosemaryjackson@darwencemetery.org.uk).
Books
History and Traditions of Darwen and its People: comprising an historical and traditional narrative (1889) J. George Shaw
Industrial Heritage: A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Darwen. Mike Rothwell 1992
Paradise Preserved: an introduction to the assessment, evaluation, conservation and management of historic studies. English Heritage 2007 with advice from Natural England
Saving Cemeteries: a handbook for Cemetery Friends - The National Federation of Cemetery Friends 2009
Newsletters and Booklets
Dry Stone Walls Around Churchyards - The Living Churchyard & Cemetery Project in conjunction with the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain
National Federation of Cemetery Friends Newsletters
Spring 2010, Autumn 2010
Blackburn with Darwen's Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector - Threeway
Community Voluntary Service - (CVS) and Community Network
Summer 2010
Reports
Commemorative Structures Selection Guide Heritage Protection Department March 2007
The future of our cemeteries - report by Brent Stevenson 2009
Friends of Darwen Whitehall Cemetery - report by Dunn & Co 2009
Blackburn with Darwen Open Space Strategy March 2006
(October 2010)
Help Needed
Cemetery Burial Registers: Volunteers required to
transcribe these registers.
This can be undertaken from home from images the
FODC can supply on CD.
Guidelines on how to complete the work will be supplied.
For information contact Tony Foster - tonyfoster@darwencemetery.org.ukSample of the Burial Register RegisterAgreement(downloadable PDF File) (downloadable PDF File)
(October 2010)
