Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

It has been a decade since the project to transform the Cemetery from a Dead Space to a Living Place was officially launched by the Friends of St Peter’s – with a lot of help from others.

On 14 September 2014, the Rectory Lane Cemetery Project was officially launched at a special event entitled The Graveyard Shift by the Mayor of Dacorum, with a ceremonial release of doves. The project was established as a “flagship project” of the Friends of St Peter’s (and with a lot of help from others).

The public were invited to celebrate the start of the work to breathe new life back into the previously neglected space, to contribute their views to the developing plans and to explore the space through a range of activities organised by volunteers.

Four trails were created with booklets for the occasion and are still used today: the History of the Cemetery, Memorial Symbolism, Personalities from the Past and WW1 Fallen) plus one specifically for the children.  The Family History Society were on hand to talk about their work recording memorial inscriptions, Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust promoted the ecological importance of the site through a bug hotel and nature quiz and activities. Visitors could hear about the first planned restoration – of the newly discovered Seat of Remembrance, and Groundwork shared mood boards (visualisations of how the space could look) for the public to respond to.  There was grave rubbing, yoga classes, music from the Kara Folk Band, refreshments and meetings with Mr Ghost the gravedigger and a dramatic horse-drawn funeral carriage.

James Moir, who organized the event, remembers it was a sunny day,  with a great turnout.

‘We wanted to challenge people’s perceptions of what they thought might be appropriate in a cemetery setting – living history (Mr Ghost the Sexton was such a believable character); artwork (a lovely piece commemorated the War Graves); a pet cemetery (not popular and not pursued); innovative seating and interpretation; scope for a Garden of Remembrance and so on. The feedback  was so important in shaping the Cemetery and how it looks today.’

What a journey it has been from that launch to now and thanks are due to many, many people, principally volunteers, that we now have a community space which is so well used and appreciated. The challenge now is to maintain it for the next decade and beyond!

Can you help us?

Please think about whether you could help, either through making a donation or through volunteering.  To do either, please contact us – we’d love to hear from you!

Rectory Lane Cemetery

Rectory Lane Cemetery was established in 1842 as the detached burial ground for St Peter’s Parish Church in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. For over 100 years, it served as the last resting place for parishioners. By 1947, it was closed to new burials, and over a period of 60 years, the cemetery fell into terrible neglect. A restoration project launched in 2014 enabled the local community to bring the cemetery back to life, and today it is a welcoming green space where local history and ecology are celebrated.