News of the Cemetery

Ralhp Warburton writes to say: "Audlem Cemetery was established in 1872 with the first interment taking place in 1874. The first ever grave is the one underneath the superb yew tree just through the central archway. Since then there have been many graves and in amongst the older ones are soldiers' war graves – still maintained periodically by the War Graves Commission."

"Many graves contain those who died as paupers and were buried by the Parish. Unmarked but all recorded in the old books that I have here in my house as clerk to the cemetery."

"With the duty of care we have, the Committee – that meets to review the working of the cemetery on a quarterly basis – has agreed that we should now begin to open up the rest of the area and, as such, new paths will be created to include the grounds down to the bottom. Work will commence on 6th August and, once this is complete, the area then opened up will mean that the cemetery will be in use for new graves until about 2055. After that date I estimate there will be no more new plots but, of course, interments will continue in graves already purchased."

"In addition to this work, we will be creating a new area for the interment of cremated remains to the lower part of the new area to the right of the cemetery."

"All who visit agree that it is a beautiful and peaceful place. Full of history of family names of the area and we – a small team of three – aim to maintain it as we do to a very high standard. And will continue to do so for as long as we are around – followed on then by those who come after we are gone."

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