The Friends of Foster Hill Road Cemetery host a number of themed talks during the year, which are open to the public and always prove very popular. The Cemetery records are available at the Chapel during the Heritage Weekend in September and an annual carol concert is held near Christmas. Other events are held to mark special occasions.
Members of the Friends lead several guided walks during the summer months. Each walk is themed and covers topics such as the Cemetery’s spectacular graves, its history, its wildlife, tales of those buried there and more. Walks are also included during the Heritage weekend. The walks last approximately 1.5 hours and the pace is gentle. However, the cemetery grounds are uneven so a pair of stout walking shoes is recommended.
We are also happy to arrange bespoke walks for interested groups, please contact us for details.
The times and dates of our events vary, so please see our events calendar for more details.
World War 1 had a huge impact on the people of Bedford. In this walk, you will hear stories of contributions to the war effort, both military and civilian, made by people who are buried at Foster Hill Road Cemetery.
What kind of memorial would you choose for yourself, and why?
In this walk, our tour guide Adrian explains the background to some commonly
found cemetery symbols and what they are meant to mean. In some cases
the headstones he shows you have a surprising backstory.
Foster Hill Road Cemetery Chapel will be open for anyone who would like to study the cemetery records from 1855 to date. You can trace interments of long lost relatives or just look at the records on display. Help will be available for anyone searching for specific graves.
Join us for a guided walk around the cemetery and hear some of the more unusual stories that aren't told by the person's headstone.
If you have never visited the cemetery before this is a brilliant and fascinating introduction.
You might remember the strange case of Gareth Williams, an MI6 agent who in 2010, was found dead in a locked suitcase and with the keys inside. Suicide? Murder? Assassination by foreign agents? The case remained a total enigma.
You are invited to join with Bedford Pipe Band for their Remembrance Service for all service personnel, and especially to commemorate the young men of the Highland regiments who died in Bedford from a measles epidemic whilst under training, and awaiting departure for the Front.
Our Christmas concert this year will have an international flavour with festive customs, carols and readings from around the world as well as some traditional favourites from closer to home. Come along and listen to tales of Krampus, Mother Santa Claus and Dickens’ famous ghosts, sing carols from far and near in our beautiful chapel dressed in all its Christmas finery and join us afterwards for cake and mulled wine! Singers from local Community Choirs led by Evelyn Sutherland will be providing an uplifting boost to the singing. The event is free but a small contribution to the Friends is always welcome.
Officially formed in February 1917, the women who joined the Women's Land Army during the First World War enabled vital food production to continue on the Home Front. Their efforts attempted to fill the enormous void left by men who had gone to serve overseas; men who had previously worked in farming and agriculture.
In December 1937, the British government passed the Air Raid Precautions (or ‘ARP’) Act, requiring local authorities to ready themselves in case of air attack.
One of the most visible forms of ‘ARP’ was the air raid warden.
The Annual General Meeting of the Friends will be held in the Chapel at Foster Hill Road.
All are welcome.
