Teignmouth & District u3a member, Jean Gitsham, led a Strollers walk around Teignmouth Cemetery.

The history and various aspects of the surroundings manages to, paradoxically, give it life!

Jean said: ‘There is a fascinating history associated with Teignmouth Cemetery.

‘Within u3a we are lucky to have fellow member, Neil Howard, who is President of FOTC, an acronym standing for Friends of Teignmouth Cemetery.’

Neil was kind enough to give a brief summary relating to the cemetery: ‘The Victorians had a vision of extra-mural cemeteries, not just as burial places but also as ‘garden cemeteries’, green spaces and oases of peace for people to come and enjoy.

‘They were also part of the solution to a major ecological problem of the 19th century - the increase in water-borne diseases such as typhoid and cholera through contamination of the water-table.

‘In 1856 Teignmouth Old Cemetery stood on its own above the town with sweeping views across the sea. The scene has now changed with housing developments impinging on all sides and our own even more critical ecological crises - climate change and the detrimental impact we as a species are having on the planet.

‘So the idea of the cemetery as a green space is even more important now than ever.

‘Five years ago it was virtually a derelict site completely overgrown with bramble, ivy, couch grass, saplings etc.

‘The Friends of Teignmouth Cemetery (FOTC) was set up with the aim of restoring its original splendour.

‘Our volunteers have accomplished a lot in this time but there is still a long way to go.

‘The buildings remain derelict but large areas of the cemetery have now been cleared so that graves are duly respected and accessible to family, friends and anyone else. The Commonwealth War Graves can now be reached and so many graves have been discovered which reveal Teignmouth’s rich history.

‘For example, who would have known Teignmouth’s contribution to the discovery of Troy, or the making of TS Eliot, or the infamous Babbacombe murder?

‘The clearance is also being done sympathetic to the idea of a cemetery being an oasis of bio-diversity and a “green space”, which can be enjoyed by everyone in the community.

‘If you are interested in supporting us please contact us as set out below.’:

Friends of Teignmouth Cemetery: Email [email protected]; Facebook www.facebook.com/fotc2018; Website: www.teignmouthcemetery.wordpress.com.