 |
 NEWS PAGE - 2011 ARCHIVE |
| 31 December 2011 update |
| A Successful Year to Look Back Upon 2011 has been another year of good progress for the Friends of Hyde Park Cemetery. Here are some examples of what has been achieved this year:
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| 29 December 2011 update |
| Where's tha' bin? Further to the report of a few days ago, we can confirm that some of the cemetery's litter bins have been moved to better locations. There is now a bin located next to the main gateway and also one near to the two benches, at the corner of Section Rx. This doesn't, of course, guarantee no littering, but we think they're more likely to be used now. The situation will be monitored to judge whether the changes have been successful. |
| 23 December 2011 update |
| Season's Greetings! A Very Happy Christmas from the Friends of Hyde Park Cemetery to all our readers. |
| 18 December 2011 update |
| Litter bins New locations have been agreed with DMBC Bereavement Services for some of the existing litter bins. They will be moved shortly, placing them in more convenient spots than is currently the case. |
| 12 December 2011 update |
| Latest newsletter online The latest newsletter (Autumn 2011) is available for download here. You will find previous newsletters and lots more on our Downloads page. |
| 11 December 2011 update |
| Bugs and birds housed! At yesterday's Working Morning the Friends fixed the 'bug house' in the wildlife area and also assembled and fixed several more bird boxes around the cemetery. The bug house has been made with the help of the young Eco Warriors from Hexthorpe Primary School. A small log-pile beneath the bug house will encourage creepy-crawly residents to check out the new accommodation above! 
 |
| 8 December 2011 update |
| Yorkshire Main Colliery connection Hyde Park Cemetery is the final resting place of the first man to be killed in an accident at Yorkshire Main Colliery, Edlington. He was a pit sinker by the name of Dennis Kenny, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland and came to Doncaster around 1900. He died on 30th April 1910, when he fell to his death down the shaft, from a working platform. Not only has the Yorkshire Main Commemorative Trust enquired about Dennis Kenny's burial in recent months, but we have now been contacted by his great-great-nephew, who is keen to find out more. |
| 2 December 2011 update |
| Insects' winter home Pupils from Hexthorpe Primary School have been adding a range of materials to an 'insect house' to make cosy winter quarters for insects at Hyde Park Cemetery. The completed 'insect house' will be fixed in position within the wildlife area of Section C at our next Working Morning, on 10th December. |
| 29 November 2011 update |
| And another Harriet descendant Harriet Vernon is proving to be the subject of more correspondence than any other occupant of the cemetery! A fourth descendant has been in contact with us, wishing to be put in touch with the other family members who had already come forward. We're delighted to be able to do that. If interest in Harriet continues to grow then we really must try to have a memorial installed in her honour. |
| 25 November 2011 update |
| Christmas Party reminder There are still a few places left for the Doncaster & District Heritage Association's Christmas Party on Tuesday 6 December. With an entertaining speaker and pie and pea supper, it's excellent value at just £4 per person. Please see our Events page for further details. |
| 18 November 2011 update |
| Newspaper article This week's edition of the Doncaster Free Press contains an article about Harriet Vernon, Music Hall star of the late nineteenth century, who is buried in Hyde Park Cemetery. See various News items below for references to Harriet. The article follows information being provided to local history journalist Barry Crabtree by FoHPC. |
| 13 November 2011 update |
Remembrance Day On
this special day for remembering those who gave their lives in the two
World Wars and in subsequent conflicts, the Friends of Hyde Park
Cemetery pay their own respects in the form of this poppy wreath.
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| 12 November 2011 update |
| Sunny weather for Working Morning Today's Working Morning was blessed with lovely autumnal sunshine. There were lots of leaves to clear from around the Lodge and, also, a good start was made on tidying the wildlife area. And in walking across the Memorial Meadow area of Sections H & I we came across this dinner plate-sized fungus!  |
| 8 November 2011 update |
| Another Harriet Vernon descendant
comes forward The story of Harriet Vernon (see below) has created more interest than any other single News item on this website. Today, another descendant of Harriet contacted us and told us that her mother, Harriet's grandaughter, is still alive, aged 90. She had previously been unaware of where her grandmother had been laid to rest, so it is very satisfying to solve that mystery for the family. |
| 4 November 2011 update |
Another theatrical performer discovered In memory of JOHN LEICESTER
WINDUST (Children's Opera Co.) son of John & Jane Windust (of
Kentish Town, London) who calmly fell asleep Feb 20th 1888 aged 16
years.
Hushed is the voice of the chorister, Silent is he we love, But sounding sweeter than ever, His voice is heard above. This stone erected by Mr & Mrs Warwick Gray and his juvenile brother and sister artistes serves but feebly to express their appreciation either of his moral integrity and uprightness or of the esteem and regard in which he was held by all who knew him. A
little internet surfing has found a reference to Mr Warwick Gray's
The Children's Comic Opera Company, in 1885, but not much
else. This seems worthy of further research. In the meantime, please contact
us if you can shed any more light on
this subject.
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| 1 November 2011 update |
| Grave Finder service now available The Friends have now officially launched their Grave Finder service, to assist people who are trying to trace a burial in Hyde Park Cemetery, perhaps of an ancestor or distance relative. Please go to the Grave Finder page for further details. |
| 31 October 2011 update |
Spooky goings-on!
 This evening's Halloween walk around the cemetery proved to be a hit with the local children and their parents who took part. At the end of the walk there was a ghost story to listen to and then prize-giving for the best fancy dress and the best carved pumpkin. The photo on the right shows Liza Hunter, DMBC's Community Activities & Engagement Officer, who organised and entered into the spirit of the event! |
| 30 October 2011 update |
| Old picture postcard turns up Yesterday's Family History Fair included a couple of picture postcards sellers, one of whom had the card shown below. Sent to a Dewsbury address in October 1906, the postcard shows the north-westerly view across Section Q, towards the chapels.   |
| 29 October 2011 update |
| DDFHS Fair attracts large crowd The Friends were exhibiting at today's Family History Fair, hosted by Doncaster & District Family History Society. There were many visitors to our stand and a lot of interest was shown in our Grave-Finder Service, which we launched today. Details of this service will appear on this website shortly. |
| 28 October 2011 update |
| ...and to prove it! Further to yesterday's news item, here's a photo of one of the new dog-waste bins.  |
| 27 October 2011 update |
| Dog-waste bins being installed Following discussions with the Friends and a review of policy, Doncaster MBC is today installing three dog-waste bins in Hyde Park Cemetery. One bin will be provided near to each entrance / exit. The Friends' policy is to encourage responsible use of the cemetery by everyone, dog-walkers included, so we're happy to see this work going ahead. Our thanks go to DMBC Bereavement Services for paying for the bins and their installation. In the near future, we propose to have some of the existing litter bins re-located, to position them in areas that currently have no such facilities. |
| 19 October 2011 update |
| Halloween Walk and Ghost Story The Central Neighbourhood Team of Doncaster Council is organising this event for children aged 8 to 12 years, who must be accompanied by an adult. Please click here for a poster showing further details. |
| 15 October 2011 update |
| Asda to support cemetery talk The Asda store at Bawtry Road, Doncaster, is to host an illustrated talk about Hyde Park Cemetery. Through its Community Life initiative, Asda is providing free use of its cafe area and providing tea and coffee for those attending the talk, which will be presented by Friends' Chairman, Richard Bell. Click here for further details. |
| 14 October 2011 update |
| 'Grave Finder' service to be launched At the Doncaster & District Family History Society's 'Family History Day' on Saturday 29th October (see this link) the Friends will be launching a 'Grave Finder' service. We will be offering to find and supply the details of burials that took place in Hyde Park Cemetery, including location and photographs of the grave, for a small fee. Watch this website for further details. |
| 8 October 2011 update |
| Marker post 'replanted' Today's Working Morning participants braved damp weather to, once more, make visible improvements in the cemetery. The previously uprooted marker post has been reinstated, a limited amount of litter was found and collected, weeding carried out and a particular grave tidied...more on that at a future time. |
| 1 October 2011 update |
| Marker post to be 'replanted' The bad news is that one of the twenty marker posts of the Heritage Circuit was uprooted recently. But the good news is that the post has been recovered and will be reinstated at next Saturday's Working Morning. Furthermore, this is only the second such instance in the five months since the posts were installed, despite many of the posts being in what might be considered to be 'vulnerable' locations. |
| 30 September 2011 update |
| Memorial restoration project Having submitted our pre-application to Heritage Lottery Fund for the proposed memorial restoration project recently, we have now received feedback and advice on how to proceed. We'll be taking the comments on board as we progress towards a full application for a Your Heritage grant. |
| 29 September 2011 update |
| More on Music Hall star Further to the entry about Harriet Vernon (see 26 August, below), the music hall star's great-great- granddaughter has been in touch after seeing the entry on this webpage. We have been able to put her in contact with Harriet's other descendants who gave us the previous lead so, hopefully, distant cousins have now been reunited! |
| 27 September 2011 update |
| South Yorkshire Archaeology Day on 26
November We've been advised about this forthcoming event, which is likely to be of interest to our readers. Please see our Events page for further details. |
| 26 September 2011 update |
| HOD walk attracts descendants Descendants of two of the Notable Doncastrians mentioned in the Heritage Open Days guided walk on Thursday 8 September participated in the event. They were among over 20 visitors taking part. |
| 4 September 2011 update |
| Christmas social event arranged This year's Christmas Social (6 December), arranged by Doncaster & District & Heritage Association, is once again open to all FoHPC members and their guests, with tickets on a first come first served basis. Further details of the event and how to obtain tickets can be found on the Events page. |
| 3 September 2011 update |
| Another record smashed This website has continued to attract more and more visitors since it was re-launched two years ago. August 2011 was its busiest month so far, with visitor numbers up by 15% on the previous best ever month and a massive 62% higher than the same month in 2010. If you'd like the website to provide other information or services, please let us know. |
| 1 September 2011 update |
| Second Town Centre Heritage Walk of
the summer On
the last day of August, half a dozen members enjoyed an escorted tour
from the Opposite
The
walk continued past the large The tour ended at the Red Lion where a race for 3 years olds was planned and first run in 1776 and is now the oldest Classic in the world - the St Leger Stakes. |
| 26 August 2011 update |
| Music Hall star traced to Hyde Park
Cemetery A recent burial enquiry has led to uncovering a fascinating story about one of the biggest stars of the Music Hall from the late 19th century. Harriet Vernon (real name Harriet Whitehouse) was the leading 'principal boy' of the 1880s and 1890s, with many appearances at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and all around the country. She also toured abroad extensively, including several visits to the United States, as well as Johannesburg and Berlin. 
 Although in poor health and aged 64, Harriet came out of retirement in 1923 to tour with the 'Old Time Artistes.' On arrival at Doncaster for a week of shows at the Grand Theatre, Harriet's health deteriorated quickly and, on 11 July, she died at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and was buried on 14 July. But the most surprising fact of all is that this huge star of her day lies in an unmarked grave! Perhaps we can put that injustice right at some point? |
| 21 August 2011 update |
| Sun shines on 'War Graves Walk' This afternoon's guided walk on the theme of War Graves, led by FoHPC committee member Wendy, proved to be a great success. A really good turnout of visitors were rewarded with a fascinating look at this aspect of the cemetery's history, not to mention some warm and sunny weather. The visitors' donations to our funds were gratefully received. |
| 18 August 2011 update |
| Irish visitor finds family grave Starting from a phone call received yesterday morning, the Friends were able to remotely guide a visitor from Ireland to the exact spot of her great-grandfather's unmarked grave later the same day! We were pleased to be able to help and our visitor was delighted with the outcome, too. A great result all round. |
| 16 August 2011 update |
| Another town centre heritage walk The Friends have arranged for a second heritage walk of the summer around Doncaster town centre. This one heads south from the Tourist Information Centre, having already covered the northern route. See the entry for 31 August on our Events page. |
| 14 August 2011 update |
Banner sign displayed
 A new banner sign giving the Friends' website address has been attached to the railings alongside Carr House Road. It is hoped that this will raise the profile of our activities still further and help us to gain even more support. |
| 12 August 2011 update |
| Memorial restoration project The above project, first mentioned on this page on 17 July, takes a step forward next week when exploratory meetings commence with a number of memorial masons who are interested in a partnership approach to restoring some of the cemetery's monuments. watch this page for further updates. |
| 8 August 2011 update |
| Surveying the cemetery's wildflowers A few evenings ago, members of Doncaster Naturalists Society, the 'Nats', kindly visited the cemetery to help us in identifying plant species within the conservation area that we have designated. It's early days, but as from next Spring we shall be managing most of Sections H & I as a wildflower meadow. Our thanks go to the Nats and we look forward to working with them over the coming months and years. |
| 31 July 2011 update |
| An expensive mistake! Recently spotted in the cemetery is this slate tomb lid on the grave of the memorably-named Dalton Tacey. The mason who inscribed the lid seems to have made a mistake when carving out the month, leading to a new piece having to be let into the lid as a correction. Probably an expensive error! 
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| 24 July 2011 update |
| Transatlantic visitors At yesterday's guided walk, on the theme of 'Monuments and Symbolism', we were joined by a couple visiting from the US. It's great to spread the word about Hyde Park Cemetery, whether you live 300 metres or 3000 miles from the site! |
| 22 July 2011 update |
Remember Hanley's mill?
 A recent family history enquiry to the Friends concerned the grave of Thomas & Susannah Hanley. Many Doncastrians will remember Hanley's mill, which dominated the skyline on Low Fishergate for many years, until being demolished in the 1970s. As a result of answering the enquiry, we have very kindly been sent a number of photographs, including the above portrait of Thomas and Susannah (taken c1877) and a shot of the mill from across the River Don. |
| 21 July 2011 update |
| A rainy heritage walk A dozen hardy Friends braved the rain yesterday evening to take part in the guided heritage walk around the northern part of Doncaster town centre. The walk was led by Steve and Andy from the Tourist Information Centre and we thank them very much. There was much sharing of information and recollections along the way, adding to everyone's enjoyment of the occasion. |
| 19 July 2011 update |
| Roman cemetery revealed nearby An archaeological dig has been taking place on the site of Doncaster's new Civic & Cultural Quarter (CCQ) and has revealed artefacts from a Roman cremation cemetery. A fine glass jug dating from around AD150 has been found. The dig will be open to the public on Saturday 23 July, from 12 to 4pm. The Friends' own guided walk around Hyde Park Cemetery starts at 2pm, so there's time for a look at the CCQ site beforehand! Take a look at the poster at this link. |
| 17 July 2011 update |
| Memorial restoration project One of the Friends' key objectives for the next year is to commence a project which will restore some of the most notable memorials in Hyde Park Cemetery whilst, at the same time, providing training opportunities for deserving individuals. Approaches are currently being made to local firms of memorial masons to seek a potential partner for the project. If you are connected to such a firm, or know of a firm that may be interested, please contact us. |
| 12 July 2011 update |
| 'Fitter for Walking' award The Friends of Hyde Park Cemetery have been honoured with an award from Living Streets, the charity that stands up for pedestrians. The award recognises the progress made in making the cemetery a safe, attractive and enjoyable place to walk and is very much the result of a joint effort between the Friends, Living Streets and Doncaster MBC. The photo on the left shows Richard Bell (Chair), Sheila North (Committee member) and Alan Murray (Treasurer) accepting the award. The photo on the right shows the plaque, which has been fixed near to the Carr Lane entrance.   |
| 11 July 2011 update |
| Guided Heritage Walks newsletter
available A notice advertising the Friends' forthcoming guided heritage walks is now available via our Downloads page. |
| 9 July 2011 update |
| Tree work underway Today's Working Morning achieved several notable objectives. Eight bird boxes were assembled and fixed in trees, the proposed meadow area was marked out prior to a plant survey in the next few weeks, the usual litter-picking took place and work started on clearing low branches and self-set saplings from the bases of trees. The photograph on the left shows how far the adjacent tree had spread towards the New Street entrance. On the right you see how the area has been transformed.   |
| 7 July 2011 update |
| Hexthorpe Walkabout Group discovers
the Heritage Circuit FoHPC today hosted a visit to the cemetery by the Hexthorpe Walkabout Group. Our visitors were guided around the Heritage Circuit, answering many of their questions along the way. If you are a member of a local group that would like to plan a visit to Hyde Park Cemetery, please contact us. |
| 2 July 2011 update |
| Local Society hears cemetery talk Thanks go to members of the Doncaster Caledonian Society for their generous donations to the Friends of Hyde Park Cemetery, following the illustrated talk presented last evening by FoHPC Chair, Richard Bell. |
| 1 July 2011 update |
| Website visitors' new record This website goes from strength to strength, having over 20% more visitors in June 2011 than in any previous month. If you have any suggestions for further improvements to the site, please contact us. |
| 30 June 2011 update |
| Guided walk for another Friends group The 'walkabout group' of the Friends of Hexthorpe Flatts Park recently requested a guided walk around Hyde Park Cemetery. We're keen to help a fellow Friends group in this way, so the walk will take place within the next couple of weeks. |
| 26 June 2011 update |
| New
Downloads page launched In our continuous quest to improve this website, we have created a new page entitled 'Downloads.' From the new page you are able to download copies of our self-guided walk leaflets, newsletters and other documents produced by the Friends. Whilst these documents have been available for download for some time, you can now find them more easily as they are all in one place. |
| 24 June 2011 update |
Race Night in September |
| 23 June 2011 update |
| AGM minutes online The minutes from the Friends' 2011 AGM, held on 6 June, are now available for download by clicking on this link. |
| 22 June 2011 update |
| Fellow Friends group needs your
vote The Friends of Wombwell Cemetery, who have achieved great things over the past few years, are competing in ITV's Jubilee People's Millions next week. They have applied for funding for a project called 'Peace from Dereliction', to convert a ruined chapel into a Peace Garden, an area for contemplation and to house personal memorials. All you have to do to support them is to cast a telephone vote (or several!) on Tuesday 28 June. Please click on this link for further details. |
| 21 June 2011 update |
| Leaflet available for download The coloured A4-sized leaflet to accompany the Heritage Circuit is now available for download, by clicking here. Why not print yourself a copy and take it along to the cemetery one sunny afternoon and follow the marked circuit? |
| 20 June 2011 update |
| Listen to Friday's radio interview Further to the update on 13 June (below), until 24 June you will be able to listen again to Richard Bell's interview on Sine FM, which was broadcast on Friday 17 June. |
| 17 June 2011 update |
| Are you a taphophile? This isn't news exactly, except that the subject came up on last week's episode of BBC1's 'Have I Got News For You?.' A taphophile is someone with a love of funerals, graves and cemeteries. |
| 13 June 2011 update |
| Radio interview on Friday The Friends' Chairman, Richard Bell, has been invited along for interview on Doncaster's local radio station, Sine FM, on Friday 17 June. Simon Bower's Friday afternoon programme 'All About You' is a chat show that also includes community matters and events. If you live in the Doncaster area you can listen on FM 102.6 or, if further afield, you can listen online and even replay the programme later. |
| 12 June 2011 update |
| A new history website for
Doncaster A new website www.doncasterhistory.co.uk has been launched. Its purpose is to make and keep available the information and findings of archaeologists and historians that was formerly available from Doncaster Archaeological and Historical Society, prior to the demise of that group earlier this year. Why not check it out? |
| 11 June 2011 update |
| A wild idea put into practice At today's Working Morning a log pile was constructed in a secluded and shady spot, aimed at encouraging insects and amphibians to make their home in the cemetery! This came from a suggestion made by our speaker at Monday's AGM (see below). Other work carried out this morning included the usual litter-pick and weeding and tidying the gravelled Section 'O'. A good turnout of volunteers and warm sunshine made it a very enjoyable session. |
| 8 June 2011 update |
| Wild ideas At our AGM on Monday evening, Elizabeth Hardcastle from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust gave a fascinating and information-packed talk on the 'Living Churchyards' project. We saw how burial grounds can become havens for wildflowers, birds and insects with just a few adjustments to their management regime and a few simple additions to provide better habitat. We'll be following up on these ideas in the coming months. |
| 5 June 2011 update |
| Press coverage Both Doncaster Free Press and The Star published photographs and articles on 2 June about the recent launch of the Heritage Circuit. We are grateful for the coverage, which helps to raise the profile of the Friends and our activities. It's a little unfortunate that The Star gave incorrect information about who appears on the photograph and the DFP persists in referring to the Friends as a 'gardening group'. A letter has been sent to the DFP to try to dispel that view and explain the wide range of our activities. |
| 1 June 2011 update |
| AGM reminder Don't forget that next Monday evening (6 June) is our Annual General Meeting, including an illustrated talk by Elizabeth Hardcastle, Living Churchyards Project Officer for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. See our Events page for further details. |
| 27 May 2011 update |
| Guided Walks' themes chosen The guided walks planned for Saturday 23 July and Sunday 21 August will be on the themes of 'Monuments & Symbolism' and 'War Graves', respectively. Please refer to the Events page for further details. |
| 25 May 2011 update |
| Dry spell reveals history With the unseasonably dry Spring, evidence of the line of the original boundary of Hyde Park Cemetery has been revealed in a strip of pale grass between Sections G and Tx. This is where the boundary wall stood before the 1882 extension was added. Why not go and have a look for yourself? |
| 23 May 2011 update |
And three new benches, too  On the day that the new gates were installed, so were three new benches, also funded from the 'Fitter for Walking' programme. Above, you see one of the benches, placed at the location from which one had been removed some years ago. The photo on the right shows the very attractive view from that bench. |
| 22 May 2011 update |
Gates installed at New Street  The much-anticipated installation of gates to finish off the access point from New Street, which since its creation a few years ago has been merely a gap in the wall, has been completed! The design of the gates is based upon that of the original ones at the Green Dyke Lane entrance and they have already attracted a great deal of positive comment. The gates were funded from the 'Fitter for Walking' programme, aimed at improving the attractiveness of potential walking destinations. |
| 21 May 2011 update |
Heritage Circuit launched by
Rosie Winterton MP
 Yesterday afternoon saw a good crowd assemble to witness the official launch of the Friends' new Heritage Circuit, around the perimeter path of Hyde Park Cemetery. The photographs show Rosie Winterton MP about to unveil marker post Number 1, before Richard Bell, the Friends' Chairman, led everyone around the circuit, explaining the twenty points of interest marked by the posts. The accompanying colour leaflet can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre, 38-40 High Street, Doncaster. Alternatively, Adrian Welch Glass and Glazing also has leaflets, which can be picked up from their premises opposite the Carr Lane entrance during their normal working hours. Our thanks go to the pedestrians' charity, Living Streets, for funding and supporting the Heritage Circuit. |
| 2 May 2011 update |
| Heritage Circuit preparations In readiness for the launch of the new Heritage Circuit at Hyde Park Cemetery, by Rosie Winterton MP, at 2pm on 20 May, the positions of the twenty marker posts have been marked out. The posts themselves will be installed shortly. The Circuit's accompanying colour leaflet has also gone off to the printers. |
| 28 April 2011 update |
| Gates getting closer The gates that the Friends have ordered for the New Street entrance have now been fabricated and are about to go off to a specialist supplier for galvanising and powder coating (similar to painting, but more durable). They and the three new benches are still expected to be installed in time for the Heritage Circuit launch on 20 May. |
| 24 April 2011 update |
| Forthcoming AGM A brief reminder that the Friends' 2011 Annual General Meeting takes place on Monday 6 June (see Events page). If you would like to read the minutes of the 2010 AGM please click here. |
| 15 April 2011 update |
| Craft Fair feedback The Friends' tombola stall at Wednesday's Craft Fair at Walker's Nurseries helped to raise both our profile and some funds! The coolness of the weather, after a string of lovely warm days, kept attendances down to a lower level than we'd hoped, but we can still regard the event as a success. Thanks go to Margaret & Josie for planning, organising and running the stall. |
| 14 April 2011 update |
| No such thing as bad publicity... ...even if the facts are wrong! You may have seen the article about the Friends and the photo on p.53 of today's Doncaster Free Press. Quite a good photo, but the first paragraph of the article should end with "...more than 50,000 burials." and not "...more than 50 plots"! |
| 9 April 2011 update |
| Newspaper publicity Next week's Doncaster Free Press (14 April) is going to include a feature on Hyde Park and Belle Vue, part of which will be an article about the Friends of Hyde Park Cemetery. As today was our first anniversary Working Morning, the Free Press sent a photographer along to 'capture the action', so watch out for pictures in the newspaper as well! |
| 2 April 2011 update |
| Website visits reach new high March saw the highest number of visitors to this website since monitoring began in December 2009, with numbers 14% up on the previous high. A presence on the internet is a vital part of the Friends' role and it is extremely encouraging to see the number of visitors continuing to increase, as we spread important information about our activities right around the world. |
| 29 March 2011 update |
| War Grave renovated After an extended period off site, during which the Commonwealth War Graves Commission was renovating the headstone of J S Ogden of the Royal Engineers, it has recently been returned to its rightful place in the cemetery. The photographs show the newly renovated memorial and the temporary marker which had been used in the interim period. 
 |
| 27 March 2011 update |
| Mothers' Union learns about Hyde
Park Cemetery An illustrated talk about the cemetery and the Friends yesterday morning was very well received by the members of Hexthorpe Mothers' Union. We thank them for their kind donations to our funds. If you are involved with a group in the Doncaster area that is looking for a speaker and you'd like to hear about Hyde Park Cemetery, please contact us. |
| 24 March 2011 update |
| MP to launch Heritage Circuit A date has been set for the launch of the Heritage Circuit around Hyde Park Cemetery, sponsored by Living Streets. The event will take place on Friday 20 May 2011, at 2pm. And the really good news is that Rosie Winterton MP will be coming along to officially launch the Heritage Circuit. We hope to see you there. |
| 18 March 2011 update |
| Fundraising at Walkers' Nurseries The Friends will be running a fund-raising tombola stall and displaying information about our activities, at a Craft Market to be held at Walkers' Nurseries, Blaxton, Doncaster, on Wednesday 13 April. The fair will run from 4pm until 8pm, throughout which time the restaurant will remain open, too. We'd love to see you there and, even better, we'd be really grateful if you could spare a little time to help at the stall. If you can help, please contact Richard Bell (07777-688438). |
| 13 March 2011 update |
| Twelfth Working Morning completed After a sunny Working Morning in February and three consecutive wet Saturdays to follow, the sun once more shone on the group of Friends attending yesterday's hands-on session. It was noticeable that the usual litter-pick gathered very little refuse, further strengthening our belief that people are generally showing more respect for the cemetery. Amongst other things, the group cleared up a large number of fallen tree branches that the recent strong winds had brought down, resulting in a tiring but ultimately satisfying outcome to the morning. |
| 8 March 2011 update |
| Supporting local business Enhancement Training Ltd, based just a few hundred metres from the cemetery, was set up in 2009 to provide 14-16 year old young people with the opportunity to develop practical skills that will enable them to progress in their personal and professional lives. Young people are referred to Enhancement Training by schools and other referrals agencies due to being partly or fully excluded from mainstream education. The Friends of Hyde Park Cemetery have placed an order with ETL to supply bird boxes and similar items for the wildlife area and are delighted to support such a worthy venture. |
| 5 March 2011 update |
Spring around the corner? In
spite of the continuing cold weather, the daffodils in the cemetery are
making a valiant attempt to burst into bloom. This morning's photo
shows the current leader!
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| 28 February 2011 update |
Tools purchased Thanks
to a Grassroots Grant, from Doncaster Central Development Trust, the
Friends have been able to purchase a wide range of tools to help us
achieve even greater things at our Working Mornings. The
photograph shows just a small selection of the newly acquired
equipment. We'd love to see you at our next Working Morning,
on
12 March, to help us make full use of what we now have available!
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| 27 February 2011 update |
Heritage Circuit marker posts |
| 13 February 2011 update |
Wildlife area under way
 At yesterday's Working Morning, as well as completing a great deal of tidying and clearing , the first step was taken in establishing the proposed wildlife area in the copse at Section C; a bat box, donated by former Friends' Secretary, Sheila North, was fixed in position. Further progress is expected shortly, as the Eco-Warriors from Hexthorpe Primary School begin to put their plans into action. |
| 12 February 2011 update |
| Funding for more improvements It is looking very likely that the Friends are about to receive funding for further improvements in |
| 11 February 2011 update |
Grounds team edging
ahead!
 During the winter, when there is no grass cutting to be done, the DMBC grounds maintenance team turns its attention to other things. Over the past few days, they have been working their way along the edges of all the cemetery's paths, trimming off the encroaching vegetation. The above photos show how much neater the paths now look. |
| 5 February 2011 update |
| Heritage Circuit progress As announced back in September, 'Living Streets', the national charity that stands up for pedestrians, is funding a new Heritage Circuit in Hyde Park Cemetery. Recently, we took delivery of the marker posts which are to be installed at the points of interest around the cemetery's perimeter. We're now working on designing the full-colour leaflet which will act as a guide for those wishing to follow the Heritage Circuit. |
| 18 January 2011 update |
| Funerary Monuments Group (again) The Funerary Monuments Group of the NFCF was set up with the role of advising and supporting groups lacking the experience of operating in larger established cemetery groups. The group is able to liaise with national conservation agencies, such as English Heritage. FMG meets twice a year and today's discussions covered a broad range of subjects. Amongst the matters debated were the Federation's response to the 'Big Society' proposals and information is being gathered on the amount of volunteer resource that is utilised in cemeteries. Another important subject area was the Graves at Risk Register. Furthermore, important contacts have been established between FoHPC and the FMG members, which will surely prove helpful in the coming months and years. |
| 17 January 2011 update |
| Funerary Monuments Group The Funerary Monuments Group is part of the National Federation of Cemetery Friends, of which FoHPC is a member. Tomorrow is the next of the twice-yearly meetings of the FMG and the Friends' Chair, Richard Bell, will be attending for the first time. Watch this space for a report on the proceedings. |
| 12 January 2011 update |
A remarkable transformation  Here’s a great example of what can be achieved when monuments are renovated. This particular grave has recently undergone completed restoration, as shown in the before and after photographs above. Let us hope that it inspires other grave owners to carry out similar work. |
| 11 January 2011 update |
| Funding Bid success Great news! A recent bid for furthert funding from Doncaster Central Development Trust has been successful. The sum of a little over £1200 will enable to us obtain more tools and equipment for our Working Mornings, fund the development of the wildlife area (being designed by Hexthorpe Primary School's Eco-Warriors) and cover some of our essential running costs, etc. |
| 8 January 2011 update |
| An interesting find Today's Working Morning included further site clearance around the chapels. Hidden amongst the general rubbish against the north wall of the former C of E chapel, was a fragment of leaded, stained glass. It's just possible that the fragment came from the memorial window, installed in 1865, commemorating James Alexander, one of the first Commissioners of the cemetery. We'll try to check that out. The photos show John Boddy holding the fragment, plus a close-up of the artefact. 
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| 6 January 2011 update |
| Working Morning reminder The ideal way to work off some of those extra pounds gained over the festive period is to take part in the Friends' next Working Morning, this Saturday, from 9:30am. Please see our Events page. |
| 3 January 2011 update |
| Friends of Sandall Park - Quiz
Night on Friday 28 January If you and some friends fancy exercising the old 'grey matter', how about taking part in the annual Quiz Night, hosted by the Friends of Sandall Park? See the poster at this link. |
| 1 January 2011 update |
| A Very Happy New Year! We wish you all Health and Happiness for 2011. 2010 was another year of good progress for the Friends and we're intending to make 2011 even better. Keep a lookout for a review of the last year on this News page, coming soon. |
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