Cemetery secures 50k Lottery grant
14 March 2011
The Friends of Philips Park Cemetery group has successfully secured a grant of almost £50,000 from the Lottery to improve community facilities at the cemetery.
The money - granted through Community Spaces, which is managed on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund by Groundwork UK - will help the group and Manchester City Council carry out much needed improvement projects at the Grade II listed site. The work will include: creating new garden areas, a wild life and heritage trail and an educational pack for schools.
Work on Philips Park Cemetery has already started and is planned to take three months. The improvements are part of a wider Council plan to improve facilities at all cemeteries across the city.
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, said: "This grant from the Lottery Fund is great news for Philips Park Cemetery and will allow some really beneficial projects. I am really impressed with the effort put in by the Friends of Philips Park Cemetery to maintain and improve the site. They are a real asset to the area."
The Friends of Philip Park Group formed just over two years ago and has worked closely with Manchester City Council on a number of projects at the cemetery. They have also worked with local schools, the fire brigade and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and last year supported the Council in attaining a first ever Green Flag award for the cemetery.
Gail Spellman, Chair of the Friends of Philips Park Cemetery Group, said: "The Friends group has a vision for the cemetery where people can go and enjoy the beautiful surroundings, visit lost loved ones and also become a resource for the community. We believe the park and the area deserves these improvement works and we are truly grateful for the support of the Big Lottery Fund. "
Friends of Philips Park Cemetery have been assisted by Proffitts, a partnership company who offers support to community groups with regeneration plans and fundraising for projects such as this.
Martin Proffitt, from Proffitts - Investing in Communities, said: "Philips Park Cemetery is an important resource for the community. People have commented on the improvements that have been completed already and, with the help of the Big Lottery Fund grant, I am confident we can build on this good work."
