Mansfield District Council is supporting the launch of a new “friends” group to help care for the town’s Cemetery. Mansfield Cemetery, on Derby Road adjacent to the Ashfield / Mansfield border, is home to the Mansfield and District Crematorium, which is used by residents in Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood, and Mansfield districts.
The Friends of Mansfield Cemetery group will be one of 12 voluntary groups working with Mansfield District Council to improve parks and open spaces. Members of the group will be able to tackle a number of projects, including improving the children’s area of the cemetery and identifying ways to access funding to restore monuments within the older sections of the cemetery, the council said on its website.
“Getting involved in a park Friends Group is a great way to meet new people, improve your wellbeing, gain practical skills, and get involved with the local community”, Sarah Troman, head of neighbourhood services for Mansfield Council, said. “Friends groups can express park users’ opinions and suggest ideas for improving their park or open space to the council. They can also organise community events, litter picking days, carry out planting activities, and apply for funding and grants.
To be recognised as a “friends” group with Mansfield District Council, the volunteer body must hold an inaugural meeting, there should be an agreed constitution and an elected committee.
Maria Bough, who is working with the council to form the Friends of Mansfield Cemetery, said: “I have been involved in various aspects of the cemetery development over the years. I was chair at the charity Shattered Dreams, and following the death of my daughter Katie Jo, you realise that families want a special place to lay their children and babies to rest. So, I helped in the development of the children’s cemetery garden you see today.
“The Mansfield cemetery has great historical value to our town and heritage. There is a lot we can learn about who is buried there and their historical importance to our town. It could, and I would hope for it, to be a centre of excellence for local educational knowledge.
“For example, the cemetery contains 51 war graves from World War One and 45 from World War Two. As part of the friends group, we would look to involve the War Graves Commission to give these soldiers resting places the love and honour they deserve.
“The Friends of Mansfield Cemetery could also become a trailblazer for other local cemeteries in the district. It is hoped that we can work together to bring all areas up to a standard we can be proud of and demonstrate to the deceased that they still matter.”
The next meeting of the group will take place at Mansfield Crematorium at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 16 April. People who want more details about the Friends of Mansfield Cemetery group can contact Maria Bough by phone: 07771 333198; or email: .
