WHAT WE DO IN THE CEMETERY

In a nutshell, the Friends of Bedford Cemetery is a small volunteer-led charity with members who try to look after this historic and beautiful place and encourage others to explore, enjoy and learn more about its architecture, natural beauty and wildlife.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

We carry out guided walks so you can hear about the interesting people buried here…murderers, victims, writers, heroes, artists and all the rest. “All human life is here.”

 

 

We carry out research and write mini-biographies of interesting personalities.

We action requests by checking records to find the graves for “long-lost” relatives.

 

 

 

 

 

We tidy up the grounds and restore neglected gravestones.

 

We catalogue and mark the many types of trees in the cemetery.

We welcome casual visitors, including their well-behaved dogs, who regularly walk in the cemetery.

We have contact with schools and encourage visits by younger visitors, who are captivated by learning about their town’s history from the fascinating stories and memorials in this timeless place.

 

 

We carry out specific walks for groups on request.

 

 

 

 

 

We encourage visitors to try our “unguided walks,” where we publish on our site photos and maps so you can discover fascinating places in the cemetery without an official guide.

 

 

We host talks on every topic under the sun…from poisonous plants to the Great Train Robbery, from the Scottish Highlanders’ invasion of Bedford to Storytelling for Grown Ups.

 

The home-made cakes that we make for our events are LEGENDARY.

Why not become a Friend of the Cemetery, or perhaps an active volunteer?

As a Charity we need help to protect and preserve the Cemetery and as a Friend your annual subscriptions enable us to maintain its historical significance and environmental importance for future generations. Annual membership costs just £10. We are entirely reliant on the work of volunteers and we are always keen to recruit people to help with gardening, light maintenance, research, simple administrative tasks, catering, and it is a good way to meet friendly similar-minded people (especially on a Thursday morning, when a small group meets to work and…eat cakes).

If you would like to know more about us or are keen to get involved please contact us  at: info@fosterhillroadcemetery.co.uk