Monthly Archives: August 2022

On a warm sunny Friday morning (26th August), Val and Billy Ferguson, Julia Wetherall, Bruce Larner and Sheelgah Horton, all on behalf of FoSOC attended the dedication of Arthur’s bench to Arthur Jeffery who died in 2021. A much-loved campaigner to the green spaces and heritage. A long-time member/Chairman of the City of Southampton Society (CoSS) and a member and tasker for FoSOC. A beautiful green has bench installed in Lovers Walk which is a footpath across the common, linking the Avenue to Burgess Road. This was attended by family, friends and colleagues from both groups who recalled many stories of Arthur’s life. If you are ever walking through Lovers Walk, please, pause, sit on Arthur’s bench and take in surrounding, the lovely green space Arthur so loved.

Just a few photos to show how much has been achieved by FoSOC in the Old Cemetery this year! All the areas that can be seen by these photos have been strimmed only by FoSOC. However, it also shows how HOT it has been by the grass now yellow and turning into straw. Of course, there are still areas that have not be strimmed since last year, however, FoSOC can only do so much!! FoSOC do their very best to maintain some of the twenty-seven acres, which is near on impossible for the group and at times it is a losing battle with ivy/bramble/nettle and even grass!! But the photos do show FoSOC has been very busy!!

Today (18th August)  FoSOC welcomed (once again) to the Old Cemetery the Geocachers. This group has been many times into the Old Cemetery helping out , which they love doing. Once again, the group of nineteen persons tackled the ivy on Grade 11* wall, this time to the right when approaching the Hill Lane gate. They removed the ivy from both sides , out in Hill Lane and in the Old Cemetery. The different can be seen in the last photo of the cleared wall. They also cut down some saplings growing near to the wall. A lot was achieved as can be seen from the photos. Hope to see the Geocachers again……soon! Till then many thanks Geocachers for your help, very much appreciated by FoSOC.