2008
Archives visit
Our latest visit to the archives was very well attended - we ran out of chairs! We would like to hear from anyone who has old pictures of any of the buildings in the cemetery - especially the Anglican chapel which was pulled down last century.
Tree planting
Back in December 2007 we completed 4 days of tree and hedge planting associated with our 'Breathing Places' lottery grant. A large group turned up March 2008 to clear grass from around the base of the newly planted trees and hedge and spread mulch to keep in the moisture, and again several times during the growing season.
A children's group helped with the watering early on but then the heavens opened.
Tree walk
Our spring tree walk was very well attended with over 40 people. The talk by Gavin Simmons (tree officer for LBHF) addressed a number of subjects including the pollarded planes, the differing appearance of a group of cherry trees, measuring the height of the Lombardy poplar (27.5m), care of the newly planted trees. The talk finished by a young oak with a life expectancy of around 400 years; it's greatest threat being from humans!
Margravine grant application
The full £7360 ’Breathing Places’ Lottery grant that we had asked for was awarded last year. We have spent all of our grant and achieved all the items we listed. This includes a general information leaflet about the cemetery, also an A1 size sign to be erected in the cemetery to tell people about the wildlife that they can see around them.
Further grants for Margravine Cemetery
Using our grant as a basis for further applications for funding, Natural England in partnership with the Council have committed further grants to Margravine Cemetery. Several surveys are being done to find out about the biodiversity of the cemetery ready for a management plan for the cemetery.
Visit to Kensal Green
A group of us visited Kensal Green Cemetery and looked at some of the interesting monuments and the catacombs. Henry Vivian-Neal and Robert Stevenson gave us an excellent tour. We were also able to compare notes about the running of Friends groups.
Council to contract out Margravine maintenance
The Council invited firms to tender last year, for the maintenance of Margravine Cemetery along with the that of all local parks and open spaces.
Quadron is the new contractor.
We are concerned that the terms and enforcement of the new contact should give full weight to the preservation and enhancement of the environmental and historical condition of the cemetery.
Council to sell South Lodge
The Council plans to sell the South Lodge (by the exit to Field Road near the back of Queens Club). We are keen to preserve the Victorian Lodge in such a sensitive area.
We wrote to all our local Councillors 26th June 2007, declaring an interest and requesting consultation. We were able to meet with Paul Bristow (Councillor for the ward) together with a Committee member from Hammersmith and Fulham Historic Buildings Group to put forward our views.
The planning brief accompanying its sale has respected our request.
The lodge is to be auctioned by Savills on Monday 27th October 2008.
Through our website we were sent an old photo of South Lodge as it was just over 100 years ago. It looked like a country cottage!
Partnership with Urban Studies
November last year, in partnership with LBHF Urban Studies Centre we worked with children from the local Melcombe school. A ten year old class made two visits to learn more about the cemetery, to conduct a brief survey, and to assist with the tree planting. The passers by that the children interviewed mostly felt the cemetery to be a safe and beautiful place.
A registered Charity?
Consideration is being given to making the Friends a registered charity.