Old Cemetery Friends
Residents are being asked for their memories of a Thornton Heath cemetery to coincide with the creation of a new project at the site writes Kerry McQueeney.
Funding for a new Garden of Remembrance at the Queen's Cemetery has already been given the go-ahead, but residents are being asked to come forward with their recollections in order to create a history trail at the site.
Plans have been drawn up following a consultation excercise with local residents and visitors to the site, which include providing much-needed new burial graves and enhanced landscaping to create gardens.
More seating, two new entrances and improved security in and around the grounds are also included in the proposals as well as the historical trails.
Croydon Council has spent time delving into the heritage of Queen's Road cemetery and have discovered that it was the final resting place for some of the borough's most famous, and infamous characters.
The first burial took place in 1861 of Thomas Garniss a member of the Croydon Board of Guardians.
James Hobbs JP who, together with his partner in crime Jabez Balfour, was involved in a £7 million building society scandal is also buried there. All the victims of the famous Birdhurst Rise poisoning case in 1929 were laid to rest at Queen's Road Cemetery as was Thomas Geyle, Master of Croydon Workhouse. But the council believes there may be more historical facts to be revealed.
Cabinet member for public protection and health, Councilor Maggie Mansell, said : "Work has already started on identifying historical interest within the cemetery but we would like to hear from anyone who may have information which could be included in a booklet and history trail."
Anyone with any information, or who would like to join the Friends Group recently set-up should contact the cemeteries customer liaison officer on 0208-684-2877.