Hull City Council highlights the efforts of The Friends of Hull General Cemetery, a dedicated community of volunteers transforming and preserving the site of heritage and natural interest.
Founded by Bill Longbone in 2018, The Friends of Hull General Cemetery is a dedicated community group of volunteers committed to the care and restoration of the site, located just off Spring Bank West.
Working in close consultation with Hull City Council, the Friends aim is to transform the overgrown and disused burial ground into a place that can be enjoyed by the local community.
Their efforts include keeping the site clear of litter, clearing graves and headstones, encouraging the diversity of flora and wildlife, promoting historical research, and most importantly, engaging local people and organisations in its upkeep.
The council has shown its support for this remarkable community initiative by providing essential equipment such as bin liners and litter pickers, enabling the volunteers to carry out their tasks safely and effectively.
Elizabeth Dillon, policy and partnership manager at Hull City Council, said: “The Friends of Hull General Cemetery are an incredible community of volunteers, and we are proud to support them. Their dedication and hard work is truly inspiring, and we are committed to providing the equipment they need to continue their valuable work.
“By supplying resources such as bin liners and litter pickers, we hope to make their tasks a little easier and show our appreciation for their efforts in maintaining this important site.”
Since the group was founded, the volunteers have observed a significant reduction in litter and fly-tipping, indicating an increased respect for the green space since their efforts begun.
However, these significant improvements have only been made possible by the generosity and efforts of volunteers, members, and donors.
Talking about why she volunteers with The Friends of Hull General Cemetery, Pat Insall, said: “I volunteer because I wanted something active to do, and I thought this was a good idea because it is helping the environment, and it gets me out and about in the fresh air once a week – it is just a nice thing to do.
“We need the green spaces in the city especially, so that people can have a walk around, and it’s such an attractive area with different old gravestones and headstones – they are really interesting for people to look at.
“[Hull General Cemetery] is something that needs to be cherished and kept in a good way.”
Encouraging others to volunteer, Pat added: “I think it is good for people to do something for the community and help out. It also keeps people active and their brains working and everything. So, if you can [volunteer], then do it.”
Karen Towner, secretary of The Friends of Hull General Cemetery, said: “Quite a number of the volunteers have said how it has helped their mental health. You’re out in nature; you have all these wonderful monuments around you – which are a work of art in themselves – and you’re exercising. What’s not to like.
“We would love new people to come along and give us a try, and if they enjoy it then that would be great.
“Also, if you have never been here before you don’t know what you are missing. I would urge everyone to come and just have a lovely walk around, and enjoy the bird song, and nature, and the stories on the headstones – it is a wonderful place.”
The Friends of Hull General Cemetery wish to encourage participation in the upkeep of the cemetery and welcome new volunteers.
The group meet every Monday from 10am to 12 noon, and every first Sunday of the month from 1.30pm until 3pm.
No experience is necessary and tasks include litter picking; clearing headstones and graves; removing invasive vegetation, checking and cleaning bird boxes; keeping footpaths clear; and general gardening work.
To find out more about volunteering, visit Our Volunteers | The Friends of Hull General Cemetery
Want to organise your own community litter-pick? To help residents get involved, the Love Your Street team can loan: adult and child sized litter pickers; hi-vis vests; graffiti removal kits; litter collection sacks; and gloves.
Any litter that cannot go in household bins will be collected by the team.
To hire equipment and to book litter collections, visit Get involved | Love your street | Hull.
For further information, visit Love your neighbourhood | Love your street | Hull. Alternatively, email loveyourstreetproject@hullcc.gov.uk.
