Harrogate Borough Council

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Pateley Bridge Cemetery in Panorama Walk is nearly fully restored thanks to an

on-going partnership between the Friends of Pateley Bridge Cemetery and St Mary's Churchyard, the Probation Service and Harrogate Borough Council's own memorial and bereavement services team.

 

About 350 memorials needed to be laid down in the cemetery following a safety inspection which began in 2000.  Because this is one of the council's oldest cemeteries, many of the memorial owners have themselves passed away or moved out of the area and the council was left with a huge job of reinstating the cemetery.

 

The successful reinstatement is largely down to the help and support the council has received from local interested residents who came together in 2004 to form the Friends' group.  Not only have they raised funds to add to the council's financial commitment, they have also attracted individual contributions and have helped out in a 'hands' on' way.  Many families have also come forward to restore family tombs.

 

Councillor Les Ellington, Cabinet Member with responsibility for cemeteries, says the council is grateful to the Friends and others in the Dale but is also keen to praise those on probation who have worked so hard to help make this restoration possible.  He said:  "We have had probationers working with us in cemeteries across the district.  Without their help we would be nowhere near where we are now in reinstatement terms.  Over 50 offenders have also been accredited by York College of Masonry with Open College Network qualifications because of this quality placement scheme.

 

"Not only is this bringing benefit to local communities and saving public funds, it has also helped many of the offenders gain employment related skills that could help with their future."

 

Dr Joanna Moody, Secretary of the Friends' Group, added her thanks.  She said:  "The Group is extremely grateful to Philip Andrew, the council's Bereavement Services Manager and Stephen Hemsworth, Memorial Technical Officer.  We have also formally expressed our thanks to district councillors, Les Ellington and Stan Beer for the interest they have taken and all that they have done.

 

"We celebrate our fifth anniversary as a Group in January next year and our plans include more fund raising.  There are about 116 memorials in the cemetery and the graveyard that for technical reasons are particularly demanding to reinstate.  We are looking to apply for grants for the £15,000 needed to complete the restoration." 

 

The Probation Service team has now moved to Kirkby Malzeard Cemetery where 50 memorials have been identified as needing work.  After that, work will start in Kirkby Overblow followed by Knaresborough Cemetery.   ENDS

 

Any further enquires about memorials should be made to Philip Andrew,  Bereavement Services Manager, Stonefall Cemetery Office, Wetherby Road, Harrogate  HG3 1DE.   Tel:  01423 883523.  Email: philip.Andrew@harrogate.gov.uk