The latest phase of improvement works at Hailsham Cemetery is progressing well, with the resurfacing of some of the footpaths already have been carried out successfully.
The improvement project will see the first phase of the 3-4 year project to overlay all the footpaths in the cemetery with tarmac completed over the course of the next few months.
The initial works currently being undertaken may cause some minor disruption to the public and restrict some access at times, but this will be kept under constant review and reported to the public on the Town Council’s social media pages.
The footpath renewal work follows a myriad of other improvements carried out at the cemetery during the past year, which have included the refurbishment of the New Garden of Remembrance with the re-laying of paving slabs, installation of a new weed membrane and new gravel.
Work was also carried out on the old chapel, with a full re-roof incorporating new slate tiles, guttering and leadwork. The chapel doors were subsequently repainted, although it is hoped that the doors will be replaced in the coming months.
Furthermore, some ground has been cleared and reclaimed at the south end of the cemetery.
“Hailsham Cemetery is a quiet, secluded burial ground run by the Town Council and maintained for maximum peace for those visiting loved ones,” said Councillor Trevor Powis, chairman of the Town Council’s Assets Management Committee.
“We want to ensure that our cemetery provides a fitting and appropriate place for people to visit their loved ones which is why we continue make improvements by carrying out any upgrades and repair work necessary on site. By doing this, we can ensure that the cemetery remains a place the community can be truly proud of.”
Hailsham Cemetery offers spaces for the burial of coffins, as well as two Gardens of Remembrance and a separate space available for the interment of cremated remains. The cemetery also includes an area for ‘meadowland burials’ – for unmarked ‘green’ burials in bio-degradable coffins with no monuments or headstones.
The cemetery grass is cut around the graves on a regular basis and to a generally high standard. The rest of the cemetery is maintained and repaired regularly by the Town Council’s Cemetery Superintendent, and the Council endeavours to inspect and assess the condition of the cemetery as often as possible.
Hailsham Cemetery is generally open from ‘dawn until dusk’. If you are intending to visit and wish to enquire about where a particular burial plot is, please call the Burials Officer on 01323 841702 (9am-4pm, Monday to Friday), who will be happy to assist. Alternatively send an email.
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk