Improvements at the Cemetery Since 2009
It was decided in 2009 to attempt to make a plan of all the graves to assist
in locating the position of all interred there.
The starting point was the burial registers which are all kept safe in fireproof
cabinets at the Council Offices. These record the full names, burial date, plot
reference and age.
It was decided that the best way to do this was to copy this information into a
computer spreadsheet, as that has a facility for sorting and searching and is
easily amended and updated. It also would provide web pages, so that it could easily
be referenced by the general public.
A block plan was then needed to establish the physical location of the plots. A plan
was then drawn up for the whole cemetery. In order to allow enough space for the
names to be squeezed into the correct spaces, a separate larger scale plan was drawn
for each section at an enlarged scale, so that the names could be read when printed.
This led to the idea of posting a copy of the block plan on a notice board at the
cemetery so that visitors could use this for reference and save them separate visits
to the Council Offices for many of their queries.
Once produced, all the information could also be made available on a dedicated website.
Hampshire County Council were pleased to host this website for us free of charge.
During the next two years, considerable improvements were made in the cemetery grounds
Extra seats were provided, new paths were laid and signposts erected. Two weatherproof notice
boards were erected one at a lower level which gives easy access for wheelchair
users. Excess soil was disposed of and a separate container erected in an out-of-sight
location A compost area was provided for vegetative waste to be stored for use by the
allotment holders. Safety shuttering was purchased to comply with the Health & Safety
requirements. Grass cutting has always been frequent and thorough. Flower and shrub beds
designed to require a minimum of maintenance. The Town Council has adopted the principles
of Environmental and biodiversity management.
Our cemetery is classified as a "Lawn Cemetery" and just like the "Blue Flag" for
the bathing quality of our beaches, there is a "Green Flag" awarded for those sites
that reach the standards set by the "Keep Britain Tidy" organisation. It was decided
to work towards achieving GREEN FLAG status, as that would raise the level of
excellence. Standards for this are very exacting and aiming for this would provide
a useful goal for the team involved.
Archway Entrance
Seating
Signage
Keeping Tidy
Cemetery Address: Albert Rd - PostCode: SO30 0DH
