BACKGROUND
In 2017, when the Friends of Teignmouth Cemetery was established, we had three clear objectives:
- To restore and subsequently maintain the buildings situated within Teignmouth Old Cemetery, namely the Chapel and Lodge and also the remains of a second chapel.
- To restore, improve and maintain the surrounding environment (i.e the graves and their environs). We believe that this is an essential parallel activity to allow optimal future use of the buildings.
- To carry out the above in such a way that we promote as broad as possible community use of the site consonant with the sensitive nature of the site and the surrounding neighbourhood.
What we are trying to achieve can be summarised in three words – “restore, revere, remember”.
Our ultimate aim is to emulate the original Victorian concept of an extramural cemetery – that it would be not just a place for the dead but also a “green space” to be enjoyed by the community as a place of peace and tranquillity.
Our objectives though are subject to one major constraint – both the buildings and the grounds are owned by Teignbridge District Council (TDC). So we have to make sure that whatever we do does not infringe TDC’s regulations governing the cemetery.
The improvement plan has evolved as we have gained experience and covers the following aspects:
There is a summary at the end of the main points of our current policy
BUILDINGS
Background
In 2015, TDC had submitted for planning consent for the conversion of the cemetery to residential accommodation. This met with considerable local public resistance. TDC changed tack and subsequently early in 2017 invited expressions of interest in re-purposing the buildings for community use.
Two Expressions of Interest were received: the first from ourselves, Friends of Teignmouth Cemetery (FOTC); the second from another organisation based in Teignmouth, the Teignmouth Eastcliff Community Company Ltd
The second organisation withdrew their proposal and TDC requested FOTC to tender a second proposal by the end of March 2018 containing supplementary evidence to support our business plan.
The three specific items of information required were:
- Evidence of sustainability – i.e that sufficient income could be generated to at least cover the ongoing running costs of the buildings;
- Evidence of sources of funding to enable the restoration;
- Evidence of the potential costs of restoration. In order to obtain those costs TDC agreed to produce a survey of the buildings which could be used as the basis for estimated costs.
In addition, TDC had originally asked for, but subsequently waived, evidence of public consultation. This action had been included by FOTC as part of the preparatory work in phase 1 of the business plan and, because of the potential costs involved, FOTC had asked that it remain in that phase rather than being brought forward before funding was available. Note, though, that the original business plan had included a list of local organisations who supported our Expression of Interest.
TDC also agreed to producing a survey report of the buildings to enable us to assess the work entailed in the restoration.
Our second proposal presented a way forward that went beyond the original business plan based on the additional information particularly in the areas of sustainability and funding. Essentially it proposed a business model along the lines of two cemeteries we had visited, Arnos Vale in Bristol and Forde Park in Plymouth, which went down this route some 10-15 years ago and now thrive as independent businesses run through charitable trusts.
Under this proposal TDC would pass the complete asset known as Teignmouth Old Cemetery over to an independent Charitable Trust. This would save TDC annual maintenance costs of around £7000. The Trust would then:
- take forward the renovation work funded through grants and other fund-raising events which FOTC would support;
- produce an amelioration plan for the whole site, which would be supported by FOTC;
- Initiate a range of revenue generating activities along similar lines to those at Arnos Vale and Forde park cemeteries to cover ongoing-costs and future investment.
This approach was not acceptable to TDC who wish to retain ownership of the cemetery, including the buildings.
However, TDC were prepared to offer a 99-year lease on the buildings if we:
- Could give more concrete evidence to support the commercial viability of the buildings once restored – I.e that we could generate sufficient income to cover ongoing costs and future improvements;
- Set up a Charitable Trust as an official organisation with which TDC could deal
Current Position
Our revised proposal was submitted in March 2019, resulting in agreement from TDC to start negotiations on a lease arrangement for the buildings. These are yet to start.
Meanwhile we have now set up a separate organisation, a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) called “Teignmouth Old Cemetery, which enables us to make the necessary legal and financial commitments to take on a lease for the buildings.
So ….
- We will continue to pursue a long-term lease arrangement with Teignbridge District Council (TDC)
- We will advise TDC in writing of any potentially hazardous deterioration in the buildings
See the picture galleries for images of the various buildings (to be completed).
GRAVES
Background
Whilst waiting for decisions on the buildings we pressed ahead with the clearance of the graves. It was a daunting task. The grounds cover around 12 acres and approximately 12,000 people are buried in the cemetery in around 7,000 graves. Very little maintenance had been carried out on the grounds in recent times with the result that most of the graves were heavily overgrown with bramble, ivy, couch grass, weeds, anthills, self-seeded saplings.
We started in a limited, contained area to the south of the main avenue and also in the boundary area around the buildings. We then secured a contract in 2018 to maintain the Commonwealth War Graves and subsequently focussed efforts largely on sections in the northern part of the cemetery where most of the war graves are located.
The early work on grave clearance was also a learning experience as we tried various ways of reducing the need for on-going maintenance. For example, we laid weed-proof membrane and chipped bark on some graves, used gravel on some graves and we also planted flowers.
Lessons learned:
- Membrane and bark was effective but also would be prohibitively expensive for the whole cemetery;
- Flowers obviously added colour to the graves but didn’t reduce the problem of weeding and also required constant watering during the summer months which became an increasing effort.
- Natural wildflowers did seem to flourish though (eg violets, cyclamen, primroses etc) and do add a splash of seasonal colour to the cemetery
Current Position
From what started as a daunting challenge an enormous amount of progress has been made. The approach now is:
- We will continue to clear individual graves with care down to earth/stone level
- Graves with an earth base will be reseeded with grass for ease of ongoing maintenance
- Other than in special circumstances flowers will not be planted on graves, for ease of ongoing maintenance
- But we will endeavour to leave as many natural wildflowers as possible to preserve the habitat and continue to give the seasonal splash of colour to the cemetery
- We will continue to maintain Commonwealth War Graves in accordance with our contract with the Commission and their guidelines
See picture galleries for some before and after pictures (to be completed)
HEADSTONES
Background
When we started we investigated the legal position of dealing with headstones and also consulted with TDC on their policy.
Many headstones are still in their original position but many also have succumbed to the ravages of weather, subsidence and time.
So, wandering through the cemetery now you will see graves with broken headstones, leaning headstones, headstones lying on the ground and headstones covered in lichen or dirt making the epitaph difficult to read.
TDC’s position is clear:
- Headstones belong to and are the responsibility of the owner of the grave plot
- TDC will only take action if a headstone is deemed to be dangerous
- That action is usually simply to lay the headstone (or broken piece) flat on the grave.
- Any repair to a headstone must be carried out by a qualified stone-mason to ensure that there is no danger to the public, and that public liability insurance remains valid
Current Position
- We will not fix, repair or adjust the positioning of headstones
- Any headstones which we consider to be potentially dangerous will be reported in writing to TDC for them to take action
- In general we will not attempt to clean headstones. We may consider it if requested by a family member and, in these circumstances, adopt the approved method which is simply using water and a soft brush
OPEN AREAS
Background
The main open areas in the cemetery are the grass paths and the parts of the cemetery where there are “unmarked” graves, i.e. graves without kerb stones or headstones. Teignbridge undertake two annual cuts of the grass in these areas and FOTC also have a contract with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to ensure that access to the war graves is maintained. The key issue with the open areas is balancing the appearance of the cemetery and its role as an ecological green space. So our current policy is:
Current Position
- Large open areas, which are generally areas containing unmarked graves, will be treated as “meadowland” to encourage biodiversity.
- They will be cut by TDC in accordance with their annual cutting plan
- Grass paths will be cut by TDC in accordance with their annual cutting plan
- We may choose, at our discretion, to cut paths also to allow all-year-round access to graves – for example this is a requirement of our contract with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
TREES
Background
We have carried out a survey of trees in the cemetery and this remains to be written up in the ‘Nature’ section of the web-site. They form an invaluable ecological addition to the cemetery providing an environment for insects, birds and mammals such as squirrels. However the trees have lacked proper attention over recent years and there has also been an expansion of self-seeded saplings which do not add to the overall benefits of the cemetery. We do not have arboricultural capabilities within FOTC so our policy is essentially dependent on ensuring that TDC fulfil their tree care obligations. So ….
Current Position
- In general the maintenance of the trees is the responsibility of TDC
- We may, at our discretion, do small amounts of pruning for example to improve access to a working area or where a small branch may be broken
- We will not use chainsaws or any equivalent power-saw in the cemetery
- We may, at our discretion, remove (or reduce to root level) small self-seeded saplings where their growth is destructive to a grave e.g. where they are growing within the kerb boundaries of a grave or immediately adjacent to a grave
ENVIRONMENT
Background
We generate a lot of green waste which is of mixed quality so we need a mixed approach to dealing with it. We are also not always able to dig out deep-rooted plants especially old tough plants such as brambles. So, we have had debates about if and when to use chemical solutions.
Current Position
- Waste disposal –
- We will recycle as much green waste as possible
- Where waste can not be recycled we will endeavour to remove it, either ourselves or through arrangements with third parties
- Small amounts of dry, combustible waste may be burned in a controlled area provided this does not create a nuisance or environmental hazard
- Any remaining waste may be piled in suitable locations in the cemetery to be allowed to mulch down
- Chemicals –
- We will not, in general, use any form of herbicide in the cemetery
- Exceptions may be agreed where no alternative is possible and there is definite need for removal of the plant (an example might be well-established bramble roots)
HEALTH & SAFETY
Of paramount importance is that all our activities are carried out with the health and safety of our members and the public in mind. Some points related to this are implicit in the bullet points above. Two specific references though are:
- Our Risk Assessment Plan –
- Any specific provisions we need to make in response to unexpected circumstances (e.g. most recently our COVID policy in response to the pandemic.
POLICY
Background
The aim of having a policy is to ensure that everyone is clear about what is required and future decisions can be made based on the agreed policy. A policy is not fixed and there is a need for a process for changing that policy
Current position
- Our Policy is based on legal requirements, mutual obligations with Teignbridge District Council (as we understand them), experience and advice from volunteer members on the working parties
- Where any exceptions occur they should be discussed with a member of the committee to establish whether a change in policy may be required
- The policy is determined by the committee
- The policy will be reviewed annually and may be changed either temporarily by the committee (during the year) to be ratified at the next AGM, or by a two-thirds majority of members at the AGM, provided that change does not contravene the law or our arrangements with TDC
SUMMARY
The following simply summarises the main points of the current policy:
- Buildings –
- We will continue to pursue a long-term lease arrangement with Teignbridge District Council (TDC)
- We will advise TDC in writing of any potentially hazardous deterioration in the buildings
- Graves –
- We will continue to clear individual graves with care down to earth/stone level
- Graves with an earth base will be reseeded with grass for ease of ongoing maintenance
- Other than in special circumstances flowers will not be planted on graves, for ease of ongoing maintenance
- We will continue to maintain Commonwealth War Graves in accordance with our contract with the Commission and their guidelines
- Headstones –
- We will not fix, repair or adjust the positioning of headstones
- Any headstones which we consider to be potentially dangerous will be reported in writing to TDC for them to take action
- In general we will not attempt to clean headstones. We may consider it if requested by a family member and, in these circumstances, adopt the approved method which is simply using warm water and a soft brush
- Open Areas –
- Large open areas, which are generally areas containing unmarked graves, will be treated as “meadowland” to encourage biodiversity.
- They will be cut by TDC in accordance with their annual cutting plan
- Grass paths will be cut by TDC in accordance with their annual cutting plan
- We may choose, at our discretion, to cut paths also to allow all-year-round access to graves – for example this is a requirement of our contract with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- Trees –
- In general the maintenance of the trees is the responsibility of TDC
- We may, at our discretion, do small amounts of pruning for example to improve access to a working area or where a small branch may be broken
- We will not use chainsaws or any equivalent power-saw in the cemetery
- We may, at our discretion, remove (or reduce to root level) small self-seeded saplings where their growth is destructive to a grave e.g. where they are growing within the kerb boundaries of a grave or immediately adjacent to a grave
- Waste disposal –
- We will recycle as much green waste as possible
- Where waste can not be recycled we will endeavour to remove it, either ourselves or through arrangements with third parties
- Small amounts of dry, combustible waste may be burned in a controlled area provided this does not create a nuisance or environmental hazard
- Any remaining waste may be piled in suitable locations in the cemetery to be allowed to mulch down
- Chemicals –
- We will not, in general, use any form of herbicide in the cemetery
- Exceptions may be agreed where no alternative is possible and there is definite need for removal of the plant (an example might be well-established bramble roots)
- Policy –
- Our Policy is based on legal requirements, mutual obligations with Teignbridge District Council (as we understand them), experience and advice from volunteer members on the working parties
- Where any exceptions occur they should be discussed with a member of the committee to establish whether a change in policy may be required
- The policy is determined by the committee
- The policy will be reviewed annually and may be changed either temporarily by the committee (during the year) to be ratified at the next AGM, or by a two-thirds majority of members at the AGM, provided that change does not contravene the law or our arrangements with TDC
Teignmouth Old Cemetery 