Monday 25th September 2023
Report written by JULIA GLEESON
Happy 60th Birthday Mr Robinson
On a very happy evening we all convened at the cemetery to combine good deeds followed by an epic celebration in honour of John 60th Birthday.
With volunteers aplenty we had to bolt on an additional task to accomodate everyone. Luckily Rik and Val came to the rescue and half the group headed to Heene Church Rooms garden to start work on a new project for us.
Back in the cemetery we welcomed Ryan to our group. Although many of us know Ryan as being Sarah partner, it was especially nice to see him at his first task. Luckily Lucy was on hand together with Ricky to partner up and do some very fine raking and bagging!
Elsewhere in the cemetery Sue was busy pruning brambles from the grave looking extremely fit in her shorts and long compression socks!
Meanwhile, Anne and Sarah were busy raking - this was certainly the case when I left to check in with the other half of the group but I'm not entirely sure that the work rate was kept up in my absence - ha ha! Some of the photographic evidence may support this!
Duncan, fresh from a 3 day stag event and a board meeting was busy digging whilst trying to stay awake!
Back at the new task - the ground force makeover team were certainly going at full strength.
Belinda had partnered up with Gillybean to clear the area around the steps ( credit to Belinda for some great before and after photos! )
John. Tamsin, Daisy, Barbara together with Rik and Val made great strides with clearing bindweed, wild garlic, brambles, weeds and rubbish !
We will return to this site in the coming winter months to really get a grip with it and smarten the whole area up.
We all reconvened at the cemetery for a Happy Birthday sing song followed by a group photo and a well deserved drink at the pub where we presented John with a variety of presents from his GG buddies!
Great job and smiles all round !
Hope to see lots more of you at the tasks in the coming weeks !
Julia xx
Light conservation work is carried out which includes wildflower management, coppicing and tree planting. The Cemetery, having been open since 1873, was closed for burials by an Act of Parliament after having been open for more than a hundred years. There are many clerics buried here, including the Bishop of Borneo, and there are four graves tended by the War Graves Commission. Designated a Sussex Site of Nature Conservation Importance, the graveyard is an oasis for wildlife in the Town Centre. An abundance of grasses and herbs more usually associated with unimproved old meadows can be seen during the summer. A complete botanical survey is carried out through the summer months, and visits are made to record bird and invertebrate species.
See more