Grange Cemetery is open for anyone to enjoy its tranquillity and history and to pick up leaflets on aspects of the cemetery. For a third year, the Friends of Grange Cemetery are organising two Open Days in September, with volunteers around to speak to visitors and answer questions. Features will include:
Self-guided walks. In addition to our usual self-guided walks for Notable Burials, there will be a selection of interesting memorials, each with a graveside poster covering information and illustrations about the person or family commemorated. We have added to last year’s selection.
Greek inscriptions: So far, we have identified six memorials with Greek inscriptions. Posters giving a translation of the Greek and biographical information about the interred will be placed beside these six graves.
Commonwealth War Graves: A leaflet, including a map and brief information will be available to guide you to the graves of 40 men who died in WW1 and WW2.
Catacombs: The 2022 Open Days proved very popular with visitors to the normally locked interment chamber on the west side of the catacombs (also referred to as vaults). This encouraged us to open the chamber for two hours on Sundays in June, which again proved very popular. The chamber will be accessible during the 2023 Open Days, with a booklet to take away, and a guide available to provide information and answer questions.
Restoration of fallen memorial stones: Information will be available in a leaflet as well as graveside posters, about the work that has been carried out through: 1) the Southside Graveyard Project as part of the currently suspended Community Payback Order Scheme; (2) Grange Association-financed professional restoration of a selection of other stones; and (3) privately-financed restorations by two families.
Trees: Walking our Tree Trail always proves popular, whether visitors have a particular interest in trees or just want to add a little bit of knowledge to help them when out on a walk. We are hoping to have a children’s activity organised by our tree expert.
Encouraging biodiversity: There will be information available about efforts regarding our three wildflower beds, our bulb planting, as well as our bee hotel and bee cages (filled with fallen leaves to encourage solitary bees and maybe even hedgehogs).