Frome cemetery seeks volunteers ahead of 175th anniversary

A cemetery in Frome is appealing for volunteers to help prepare the site ahead of its 175th anniversary celebrations.

Frome Dissenters’ Cemetery, on Vallis Road, will mark the milestone with an open day on 5th September and a special service on 6th September to remember those buried at the site.

The service will particularly remember the first burial at the cemetery, which took place on 7th September 1851 when 10-week-old Alfred Wheeler, son of tailor William Wheeler of The Butts, was laid to rest.

Ahead of the anniversary events, cemetery trustees are seeking volunteers to help cut the grass and prepare the grounds.

Trustee Jim Parsons said, “We have a number of mowers and strimmers. If you can help us in the first instance, come and meet the team on a Saturday between 10am and 12pm. If another day would suit you better, let us know on Saturday and we can then arrange something.”

Visitors to the open day will be able to join guided ‘Walk ‘n’ Talks’ at 11.30am and 2.30pm. The cemetery registers and a copy of the plan will also be available to help people locate grave plots.

The Dissenters’ Cemetery was constructed in 1851 on land purchased from the Marquess of Cork and Orrery and has since seen more than 6,000 burials and interments.

Jim said, “The cemetery is open at all times but the chapel normally only on the maintenance days or by arrangement.”

He added that work to repair and re-roof the chapel will begin once Listed Building Consent has been secured from Somerset Council. The trustees will then aim to raise £40,000 for further necessary works.

Over the last 24 years, work has been carried out to make grave sites more accessible. A new seat was also placed in the grounds in memory of a former trustee and his wife, who were members of Rook Lane Congregational Church.

Visitors have commented on the peaceful nature of the cemetery, despite its location beside the main Frome to Radstock road.