Achievements to Date

Due to the large scale nature of the project the site was initially divided into four areas.

Plan of Heaton
Graveyard Work
Areas
(click to enlarge)

Area 1, at the front of the graveyard, was the first to be tackled by the project in 2004. It has been cleared of all brambles, overgrowth and miscellaneous ‘rubbish’, and ivy has been removed to uncover headstones. Every grave has been cleared out and refurbished with sheeting and pebbles, or, where suitable, planted out.

The original foundation stone, dated 1824, was uncovered during the clearance, and has been raised and made into a feature, with seating nearby.

Monuments have been repaired where possible and lifted back into place with block and tackle, which had to be specially made. Bird boxes and feeders are in place. In autumn 2004 6000 spring bulbs were planted which now produce a magnificent display.

External funding enabled some of the trees in the area to be attended to by tree surgeons. Work carried out during 2005 and 2006 in area 2, on the left side of the graveyard, was of a similar nature to that in area 1, however several major structural problems became apparent for which the project had to raise considerable funds.

These included rebuilding the retaining wall between Paradise Road and Highgate as a safety measure, and rebuilding part of the front wall and fitting substantial new entrance gates.

Additional secure seating was provided, and a further 6000 spring bulbs were planted, ably assisted by children from the local primary school. New rear entrance gates were fitted in April 2007.

Area 2 is almost completed, and was perhaps the worst area to tackle to date. Work carried out includes the cutting down of approximately 60 self-seeded sycamores and the removal of ivy from all the tall gravestones so that they are exposed. Many graves have also been planted out, and others are in the process of being pebbled. New grass pathways have been laid in several areas. Thousands of spring bulbs were planted during October 2007, and rose beds have been created in several areas. Funding secured though Bradford Vision, from the ‘Safer Cleaner Greener Neighbourhoods’ initiative in March 2007, has enabled the purchase of the equipment, materials and plants necessary to complete the section.

Information boards have been installed at the front and rear entrances to the graveyard and sited around the grounds to provide visitors with more detailed information about the graveyard, the project, and associated local history.