All Souls Burial Ground

Rotary is committed to supporting groups who are preserving the environment and creating sustainability for the future.  

We are leading a project at All Souls Burial Ground, Haley Hill, Halifax, to restore the neglected grounds in a sympathetic and environmentally friendly way whilst encouraging the local community to come together and help look after this green space.

Observations

• Severe neglect of a burial ground including fly tipping, monument neglect, overgrown graves, path narrowing, natural plant extinction, tree care, incorrect mapping.   There are many graves of historical interest including prominent local people as well as Commonwealth war graves and children’s graves that are not accessible.  
• There are no useable areas to allow contemplation and reflection and enjoy the wildlife and flora which could be prevalent.  

Aims

• To work closely with Calderdale Council, current guardians of the land, advising them of our progress. They visit us on site regularly to assess progress and discuss upcoming work.
• To take advice from local wildlife protection groups.
• To foster a relationship between Rotary, the community, and the environment.

Goals of the Working party 

• To clear the vegetation in an ecologically friendly way to cause minimal disruption to wildlife, habitat and support failing hedgerows by using fallen branches etc; to rebuild weak areas and encourage a support system for already established hedges.
• Replant hedgerows if needed and keep all trimmed vegetation on-site to create mulch/compost areas to encourage homes for bugs, insects and worms to balance the eco-structure of the grounds. 
• Clearing of pathways for safer access and grave visibility.
• Work with the war-grave commission to QR code graves to enable visitors to learn about the history of these servicemen.  
• Identify and protect any endangered species of wildlife or flora and encourage natural wildlife to flourish and support the eco system and protect the natural habitats of wildlife. 
• Work to identify trees and keep them healthy and protect their future. 
• Collect litter.

Objective

• To protect an ancient heritage and wildlife for people to enjoy in the future and to display progress and notes of interest in Bankfield Museum which is opposite the grounds.
• To make the grounds more accessible for everyone .
• To keep the grounds litter free and encourage local users to help maintain this.
• Support the local Community by researching family graves and reuniting people with their loved ones where graves have been unidentifiable and inaccessible for years.

Please follow us on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/AllSoulsCemeteryWorkingGroup