Monthly Archives: February 2022

End Polio Now!Wonderful news – purple crocus are blooming in the Old Cemetery, just inside the main gates. Please do come and have a look at the lovely displays.Some two years ago FoSOC, in partnership with Southampton Clausentum Rotary (https://www.facebook.com/SouthamptonClausentumRotary/), started planting purple crocus at the cemetery and further plantings took place last October. The colour has a special significance. Back in 1985, Rotary International, a worldwide organisation, gave a pledge to eradicate, from the world, the scourge of the dreadful disease of Polio. The campaign was, originally, PolioPlus and was, more recently, renamed ‘End Polio Now’ to mark the advanced stages of the work of immunisation. A most generous contributor to the campaign has been the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Rotary is now very, very close to achieving its goal of a Polio-free World. When a child is … Continue reading →

Today the Southampton City Council Tree Team were in the Old Cemetery cutting down the fallen tree which had covered the entrance to the Jewish section and the pathway along side, now enabling the public to walk by safely. They came at about 11.30 am and finished by 1.30 pm and did a great job which the Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery did very much appreciated them doing, after what was for them an extremely busy week. Pleased to write ‘No headstones were damaged’ or the wall! Photos taken by Val Ferguson and Bruce Larner

Friday18th February from 10.00am to around 3.00pm Storm Eunice caused damage to at least three trees and many, many fallen branches which in turn did damage to five headstones in the Old Cemetery, the cemetery actually, come off very lightly. With the amount of ‘over’ mature trees that the Old Cemetery has this could of been a lot worse. However, this has caused a lot of work clearing up and making areas safe for the public to walk. By Saturday a few FoSOC members did manage to check the damage and send photos to Bereavement/SCC and even clear up some branches on the Main Carriageway for the public to walk by. Monday a few more members plus Kevin from Bereavement did do more (as seen from photos) but Tuesday morning many more FoSOC members come and cleared away a lot … Continue reading →