Historic cemeteries in Birmingham restored

The results of a £2.3m project to restore cemeteries in the Jewellery Quarter have been unveiled, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Birmingham City Council and Jewellery Quarter Development Trust.

A memorial stone was installed as part of the new Garden of Memory at Warstone Lane Cemetery, which has also seen its catacombs restored, as part of the Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project.

The scheme also saw regeneration work take place at Key Hill Cemetery, which is the city’s oldest garden cemetery alongside Warstone Lane Cemetery.

The project’s capital works programme is now complete, having restored gates, walls, railings and catacombs, as well as making improvements to landscaping, pathways, drainage and gardens.

Cllr John Cotton, cabinet member for social inclusion, community safety and equalities, who unveiled the memorial stone, said: ‘This project has been over 10 years in the making and seeing the difference these works haves made to these historic cemeteries is amazing.

‘With the transformation of Key Hill and Warstone Lane cemeteries, the stage is now set for a new era for these historic green spaces for the local community, families and visitors to appreciate for many years to come.’

Josie Wall, activities programme manager for the Jewellery Quarter Cemeteries Project, said: ‘The unveiling was a chance to celebrate the culmination of two years of restoration work in the cemeteries. These works have been a huge collective effort, and this was our chance to say thank you to all involved including the funders, contractors, volunteers and community stakeholders.

‘It was also a great opportunity to look back at all the successes of our activities programme so far and look forward to upcoming events before the project ends in December.’

Restoration works were carried out by Midlands Conservation Ltd, Oakham Fabrications and HFN Landscapes, and was also supported by volunteers from community partners including the Friends of Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries and the Jewellery Quarter Research Trust.

In related news, plans to ensure towns in the Wakefield district will benefit from a share of a £10m town centre improvement fund are moving forward, with a number of projects underway.

Photo by Madeleine Maguire