News
Association of Significant Cemeteries AGM and Conference 2008
In spite of receiving
no backing from the Capital of Culture Company, we have succeeded, with
the help of Wirral Council, in organising this conference.
The speaker programme will bring together many of the key players in the
UK voluntary sector, together with representatives from the professional
sector and English Heritage. The conference will be chaired by Dr Julie
Rugg, of York University's Cemetery Research Group. Dr Rugg acted as liaison
officer to the government on the 2004 Burial Law Reforms.
By bringing together best practice and establishing guidance for the future,
our hope is that the conference will produce lasting benefit to the UK
voluntary sector. We also hope to give delegates from the rest of Europe
an understanding of the particular problems that are encountered in UK
cemeteries.
Download a PDF of the Conference Programme
Download
a PDF of the Speaker Programme
Flaybrick
the DVD - 13.6.07
This week the Friends of Flaybrick release a dvd which tells the story of Birkenhead and explains how plans for the cemetery caused riots in the town. The dvd also brings to life the drama of the Loc Ah Tam murders and the Vittoria Dock Disaster. Of particular interest to local history buffs will be the interview with Pastor Robb Jeffs, who tells the story of the remarkable Charles Thompson Children’s Mission.
The dvd shows the Friends at work in Flaybrick on the MI Project and outlines their plans for a new free leisure facility for Birkenhead – the £2 million Flaybrick Bat Study Centre. The dvd also tells how the Friends managed to bring the AGM of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe to Birkenhead – the first time it has been hosted in the UK.
The Friends have made the dvd themselves, directed by Angus Tilston, who has been with the Friends for over 10 years. Angus is also the founder of Swan Movie Makers who are the dvd’s producers. Over 30 hours of filming were required to make the 51 minute dvd and the project took over a year to complete.
The dvd,
which contains specially composed music by Martin Pleass, is available
at £5 to society members, but you will need to forward a prepaid
envelope. Apply to John Moffat, 76 St Johns Road, Eastham, Wirral CH62
OBW. Tel. no. 0151 512 3676.
ASCE Guide to the Cemeteries of Europe
This book was published in June and Flaybrick has a six page entry which emphasises how Edward Kemp’s landscaping skills give the Gardens such a high status. The entry was compiled by the friends at considerable effort as the standard of this publication is very high. Once again, although we are a relatively small voluntary group, we have placed Birkenhead alongside Rome, Copenhagen, London, Athens, Berlin, Zagreb, Vienna Hamburg , Oslo, Naples, Bergen, Granada and Gothenberg in a European wide publication in 5 languages.
National Bat Study Centre
This dynamic and original concept has been developed by Nick Harding, ranger for Flaybrick. The architects Ainsley Gommon have bid for the restoration of the Flaybrick Chapels and together with Curtins Engineering, (Principal Contractor for the Albert Dock) and Redfern Morrison and Thomas, (quantity surveyors), have produced an 11 page tender for a £14,000 feasibility study. Alf Plant, director, Ainsley Gommon Architects, has said that the project is an exiting one and that their plan would compliment the existing architecture and incorporate innovative modern design.
The total cost of the new centre is £1.25 million and we are currently exploring funding options. However the primary concern is to raise £7000, which together with match funding from Wirral Borough Council will enable the feasibility study to go ahead before it becomes time expired.
The Friends of Flaybrick are backed by...
