History enthusiasts are in for an unusual guided tour to uncover the secrets of Westbury cemetery.
Historian Liz Argent will be tracing the origins of the cemetery which opened on Bratton Road in May 1857. The tour will take in graves of interest through to the history of the three family mausolea, the chapels and the lodge.
The cemetery, which cost £4,000, was constructed after the Home Secretary banned burials in churchyards except under special circumstances. At first a plot of land was earmarked on the other side of Bratton Road but the current site was deemed more suitable and work began in 1856 to draw out the boundaries, lay out the cemetery and construct the lodge. The work which included detailed landscaping and some of the current trees date from this time.
“The cemetery is the last resting place of thousands of Westbury people and holds a wealth of local history,” explained Liz who chairs the heritage society which runs the town’s museum. “This should be a fascinating guided walk”
Responsibility for the cemetery was taken over by Westbury Town Council earlier this year.
The walk will take place at 2pm on Saturday 6th September and will start from the lodge.
Tickets bought in advance are £4 each and can be purchased at the museum or online at www.westburyheritagesociety.org.uk
Tickets can also be purchased on the day for £5, but organisers advise that numbers are limited.
Pictured: Westbury cemetery
