FRIENDS
OF
BEDFORD
CEMETERY
Foster Hill Road
The chapel from the south west
Sunday May 30th 2010 at Foster Hill Road Cemetery.
Natural History Walk led by Brian Anderson.
Sunday July 4th 2010. Flitton Mausoleum and Wrest Park.
Meet at 11.00am at St Peter’s Church, De Parys Avenue
Sunday September 12th 2010. Heritage Open Day.
Foster Hill Road Cemetery 2.00pm - 4.30pm.
SEE BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS OF THESE EVENTS
Sunday May 30th 2010 at Foster Hill Road Cemetery.
Natural History Walk led by Brian Anderson. Meet at the chapel at 2.15pm
We can look forward to an interesting afternoon with Andy, when he will show us how the trees and plants have (hopefully) survived the long cold winter. Most natural plants are pretty hardy so there should not have been any long-term damage. He will also be able to tell us how the birds and animals have fared. Everything has been very late this year, but by June it should have caught up. Free refreshments will be available afterwards.
Sunday July 4th 2010. Flitton Mausoleum and Wrest Park.
Meet at 11.00am at St Peter’s Church, De Parys Avenue
This will be a whole-day visit to two interesting places. It will be a shared car event and we need people to let Margaret know if
(1) You wish to join the trip, but would like to share transport or
(2) You will be joining the trip with your car, and would be willing to take others.
Please let Margaret (01234 360003) know by 27th June if you will be coming on the visit
We will make arrangements to ensure that the transport costs are shared fairly.
We anticipate going to the De Grey Mauseleum at Flitton first. This is referred to at ‘a treasure-house of 17 sculptured tombs and monuments from 1615 to 1899, dedicated to the De Grey family of Wrest Park’. It is quite
different from the mausoleum we saw at Maulden a few years ago. Whereas that was below ground, the one we shall see at Flitton is attached to the local church, but is a totally self-contained building. The De Grey family built it in 1705 and family members were subsequently buried there.
The mausoleum is possibly the largest and most magnificent sepulchral chapel attached to an English church. There is no charge for visiting.
We shall then go to Wrest Park which is also looked after by English Heritage.
There is an admission charge of £5.20, concessions £4.40 English Heritage members do not have to pay. There are special rates for groups, but we may not have a sufficiently large group to take advantage.
The place is described as 90 acres of enchanting gardens originally laid out in the 1709-11, and inspired by the great gardens of Versailles. You can marvel at the magnificent collection of stone and lead statuary, the Bath House and the vast Orangery, and dream of days gone by.
It was the home of the De Grey family from 13th century until 1917. The house was built in 1839, replacing an older manor house. During WW1 the house became a military hospital until 1916, when it was damaged by fire. Lady Lucas, the last member of the De Grey family to live there, sold the house and estate before an auction that was due to be held in London on 17th July 1917. It eventually came into the ownership of English Heritage
Only a small part of the house is viewable, but all the buildings in the grounds can be visited.
There are picnic areas there, so we suggest that everyone brings a picnic.
There are audio tours, parking, toilets, a shop, dogs are allowed, and it is suitable for wheelchairs.
Sunday September 12th 2010. Heritage Open Day.
Foster Hill Road Cemetery 2.00pm - 4.30pm.
As this is National Heritage Day we will have, as in previous years, an ‘Open Day’ with guided walks both Natural History and Heritage. Mike Day will be bringing the old registers of burials from Norse Road for anyone to look at. We can usually help anyone wanting to find specific graves, either for family history research, or just for interest. Refreshments will be available. All are welcome.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Sunday November 14th 2010. Lecture at Foster Hill Road Cemetery Chapel.
Sunday November 28th 2010. Carol concert at Foster Hill Road Cemetery Chapel.
Sunday January 23rd 2011. Norse Road Cemetery Open Day. Lecture and tea party.
Sunday March 13th 2011. Annual General Meeting and Lecture. Foster Hill Road Cemetery Chapel.
More details to follow in due course.