A unique
aspect of Plymouth's Victorian heritage has been made more accessible
to the public with the opening of a new heritage trail through one
of the city's main cemeteries.
The Ford Park Cemetery Trail takes people around 50 graves of notable
people mostly from the Victorian era.
Many
of the great figures from the City's past are buried within this
historic site including entrepreneur Charles Norrington and Edwin
Alonzo Pearn, described as "one of the most charitable men
in the West of England".
The
Ford Park Cemetery Trust says the opening of the trail is an important
milestone in its goal of making the cemetery a centre for the study
of Victorian Plymouth.
Dr
Henry Will, chairman of the trust, said: "Within its 34.5 acres
is a biography in stone of Victorian Plymouth and it is a biography
we wish to make widely available."
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| Many
of Plymouth's most notable people are buried there. |
The
trail has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund South West.
The
original idea came from the Groundwork Trust which has also done
much of the work.
Colin
Toogood, from the Groundwork Trust said: "To have played a
part in the regeneration of such an important part of Plymouth's
heritage is hugely satisfying."
The city's lord mayor Claude Millar declared the trail officially
open by unveiling a plaque featuring a map of the cemetery and its
most prominent memorials.
A free 42-page colour booklet is available to accompany the trail
which includes biographical details relating to the 50 graves of
interest and a historical commentary of the route.
The Trail takes the visitor l through the original burial ground
and past some of the later burial areas.
Each grave is identified by a numbered post and the original slate
markers have been reinstated at the corners of the burial sections
adjacent to the Trail.
Article
first published: 15th April 2005
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