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This illustrated talk introduced us to the history and modern conservation of one of the many hidden delights of the city, Holywell Cemetery.
To set the scene we learnt of the origins of the name an the area. Situated just outside the city walls legend had it that there was a well whose water had special properties which caused people of the time to refer to it as a "Holy Well". A church was establised around the 11th century and a manor with mention of market gardens. During the Civil War city defences were constructed near to the Manor House. A little later in the period the house had become a Workhouse while bowling greens and other leisure pastimes were recorded.
The cemetery was created in 1847 and the parish was now well populated. The 1851 Census records a wide range of occupations for the area including three tailors. The workhouse had become a female penitentiary.
As the space available for new burials declined the revenue for upkeep diminished and the whole site became overgrown and derelict until "The Friends of Holywell Cemetery" set about raising money and organising a programme of renovation and conservation. The emphasis of the efforts was on making the area accessible and at the same time creating a haven for wild life. This is done by fundraising, donations , some from the City and University because of the many dignitaries and well known people buried there, and by the efforts of many volunteers who spend many hours clearing and renovating.
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