Ward alliance donation funds new memorial plaque frame at Wombwell Cemetery

A beautiful new home for memorial plaques has been unveiled at Wombwell Cemetery thanks to funding from Wombwell Ward Alliance.

The Friends of Wombwell Cemetery installed the steel frame decorated with rose motifs after space began to run out for new plaques on the stone walls of the cemetery’s Peace Garden.

The Peace Garden is a ruined chapel which is home to more than 100 tributes to lost loved ones.

Group member Alan Sutton designed the ornate frame on which the new plaques will be mounted.

It was fabricated by David Whiting, who is married to group chairman Karen Whiting.

Ania Pozorski-Sutton, treasurer for the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery, said: “The funding we’ve received from Wombwell Ward Alliance has been invaluable.

 “We were running out of space to ensure everyone could commemorate and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.

“It’s so important that we include as much of the community as possible -and thanks to this support, we've been able to install this new frame with room for many more plaques.”

The new durable metal frame not only provides extra space for memorial plaques but will also help to preserve the fabric of the Peace Garden, which dates back to 1867.

Cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, Cllr Wendy Cain, said: “I am so pleased Wombwell Ward Alliance were able to support this project.

“The Friends of Wombwell Cemetery tend to this tranquil space with great care and respect and really embody the community spirit we have here in Barnsley.

“This new frame for memorial plaques will ensure people in the Wombwell community can continue to pay a fitting tribute to lost loved ones for years to come.”

You don’t need to have a relative buried at Wombwell Cemetery to purchase a plaque in their name.

Plaques can be ordered through the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery group and people are invited to make a donation to the Friends in return for fitting.

Wombwell Ward Alliance covered the majority of the costs for this project, while the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery also contributed by fundraising.

Ward Alliance members play an integral role in Barnsley, volunteering their time to helping their communities to thrive. They help shape local priorities and have a small budget called a ward alliance fund to support key projects.

Their work supports the aims of Barnsley's Council's Love Where You Live campaign.

It’s all about working together, listening to each other, and making a real difference in our communities. To find out more, visit barnsley.gov.uk/LoveWhereYouLive.

Captions: Friends of Wombell Cemetery and members of Wombwell Ward Alliance with the new memorial plaque frame at Wombwell Cemetery's Peace Garden.

A high-resolution version of this image is available on request.