 |
|
Melrose crematorium described as 'most beautiful in Britain'
Border Telegraph - November 23rd 2011
|
|
|
|
|
IT is one of the most controversial new buildings in the Borders. But, this week, the region's first crematorium was described as the most beautiful in Britain.
Adrian Britton, commercial director of the Bristol based Westerleigh Group, made the comments ahead of the opening of his finn's new £2.6million development in Melrose next month.
He revealed he spent almost 20 years searching for a suitable site for a crematorium in the region and looked at 50 potential locations before he unearthed the site next to Waird's cemetery.
However, despite concerns over building the new Borders Crematorium in a National Scenic Area one of only two in the region - the former President of the Federation of British Cremation Authorities claimed the site on the lower slopes of the Eildon Hills is the best he has ever seen.
Speaking to the Border Telegraph after giving Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker the first official tour of the new development on Thursday, Mr Britton said: "I've got to say, I've travelled the Iength and breadth of the country in my job and I think this is the most beautiful site for a crematorium I have ever seen.
"I first looked for a site for a crematorium in the Borders back in 1993 when I met the local council in Hawick and spoke to numerous people, including the local clergy, over a very, very long period of time. We must have looked at literally 50 sites. But four years ago things looked more promising when Scottish Borders Council announced they had identified a number of potential sites. We looked at those and there were two that really stood out - one near Galashiels and this one here."
But be added: "The site in Melrose was clearly by far the best site for a crematorium so to see it actually coming out the ground and nearing completion is a very satisfying experience."
At present there is no crematorium in the Borders - the nearest being about 30 miles away in Edinburgh. However, the developers believe the new site in Melrose will serve the whole region when it opens on December 13.
It is expected it will initially cater for about 600 funerals each year - eventually reaching 900 after a decade.
Mr Britton said: "I think everyone has recognised over a very long period of time that the Borders needs a crematorium in the region. Obviously there was some dispute as to where that should be positioned." But he added: "I think when it is completed and the planting is established it will be barely noticed and, two years down the line, I am convinced that everyone will be very happy with it."
In November 2009, Councillors on the local authority's planning committee voted in favour of building the region's first crematorium in Melrose despite concerns that building a crematorium on the Eildon Hills could damage tourism in the area.
However, Councillor Parker, who represents Leaderdale and Melrose on Scottish Borders Council, revealed he believes they have found the right site.
Councillor Parker said: "I think this is a very special site and I can't think of a better place to end life's journey than at the bottom of the Eildon Hills. It really is quite a spectacular place and a very unique place, and I think Borderers, who have waited a very, very long time to have this facility, will be relieved to have such a quality facility in their community."
And he added: "At last, it will end the nightmare and trauma of having to travel out of our region when they have to say farewell to a loved one."
It is anticipated the building works, which are being carried out by local construction firm Borders Construction, will be completed by December 5 and an official dedication service, to celebrate the opening of the crematorium, is planned in the new year.
George Bell, a former head of bereavement services at Edinburgh City Council, has been appointed manager of the Borders Crematorium which boasts 98 seats and 76 parking spaces. He introduced himself at a meeting of Melrose and District Community Council last week.
He explained the new crematorium would be open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, as well as some Saturdays between 9am and 11am, and the cost of a cremation would be £595.
|
|
|
|
|
Parker praises progress as region’s first crematorium nears completion
August 2011
|
|
|
|
|
THE region’s first crematorium will begin operations in mid-November with construction running ahead of schedule.
And the operations director of the company behind the development revealed he has been inundated with enquiries from funeral directors and ministers who are keen to see the £2.6million project, next to Wairds Cemetery in the lee of the Eildon Hills, completed.
“That response has been most heartening,” said Adrian Britton of Bristol-based Westerleigh, the UK’s second largest crematorium operator.
“It is also difficult to escape the conclusion that this is one of the most beautiful settings imaginable for a crematorium.”
It was the landscape surrounding Westerleigh’s chosen location – within the Eildon Hills National Scenic Area – that was cited by most of the 150 Borderers who objected to the proposals when they were submitted for planning consent in 2009.
Despite that dissent, the planning committee of Scottish Borders Council voted eight-two to give the project the go-ahead in November of that year.
There was then a protracted delay, caused by an ownership dispute over land which SBC insisted must be planted out to reduce the visual impact of the crematorium.
But that wrangle was resolved earlier this year and Earlston-based Border Construction won the tender to build the facility which will have a roof height of 7.5m and a chimney stack extending to 8m. The building will contain an 84-seat chapel with standing room for 100 outside. A mixture of natural stone and timber will be used and there will be 25 on-site parking spaces with room for a further 43 cars when the verge of the Boglie Burn road, which will provide access to the site, is redeveloped.
Construction has now reached first floor level and, next month, a specially-commissioned cremator - comprising the actual cremation chambers with flue system and costing £600,000 - is due to be assembled on site.
Mr Britton said that Crematoria Management Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westerleigh, had applied for a special permit to use this equipment to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The application contains a description of the effects of the emissions from the installation on the environment and human health.
Mr Britain said SEPA had been closely involved in the design of the cremator and he envisaged no adverse environmental impact.
“Not only will SEPA carry out a series of random inspections, but a monitoring print-out of emissions from all cremations will be sent to SEPA every six months,” said Mr Britton.
SBC leader and local Melrose councillor David Parker told us: “I am delighted that the long- awaited Borders crematorium is now well under construction and am extremely pleased at the good progress being made with the project.
“It is clear already that the site is discreet and that the finished development will be an asset to the Borders, and will sit very well in a beautiful setting.
“This is a much-needed facility and will end the trauma that many Borders families have to endure when travelling outwith our region to say farewell to loved ones.”
Mr Britton, who is due to visit the site today, revealed that the Melrose facility would host an open day next summer.
He expects annual cremations of 500 to rise to 900 within 10 years of operation.
|
|
|
|
|
Public forum to discuss improvements to cemetery and crematorium
August 2011
|
|
|
|
|
THE company that has taken over responsibility for running Harlow’s council-owned cemetery and crematorium is to hold a public forum to discuss its plans.
The Westerleigh Group, which was awarded a 25-year-lease to operate the facilties at Parndon Wood, said it wanted to give people the chance to express their opinions on its ideas for improvements.
The company, which pledged to invest £3m into a refurbishment of the buildings and land when they took over on July 1, have so far focused on restoring the grounds and have also extended funeral service times from 30 to 45 minutes.
Managing director Richard Evans said it was important to consult the public on the development plans.
“There is understandably a lot of interest in how Harlow’s cemetery and crematorium is developed and we are keen to ensure the public get a chance to express their opinions on the key issues affecting the service, especially at a time when we are planning our improvement programme,” he said.
“The first public forum is just the beginning and a meeting of local funeral directors and ministers is planned around the same time to show them our draft plans for refurbishing the crematorium.
Mr Evans added: “We are planning this major investment to modernise Parndon Wood over the next few years so it is vital we get it right to ensure the best possible service is provided.”
Tony Hall, Harlow Council’s portfolio holder for environment, said: “This is good news for customers and is something that we have asked for to ensure they can regularly feedback on the running of the service.
“Westerleigh have ambitious plans for improving the facilities and we think it’s important that customers are involved in this and are given their opportunity to have their say.
“Since the takeover by Westerleigh we have been receiving lots of positive feedback from relatives on maintenance of the grounds and facilities.”
Cllr Hall said the authority would be represented at the meeting as part of the monitoring of how the new arrangements are going.
The public forum will take place in the chapel at Parndon Wood on Tuesday, September 13, starting at 5pm.
|
|
|
|
|
George Bell to manage new Borders crematorium
August 2011
|
|
|
|
|
Westerleigh Group are delighted to announce the appointment of George Bell for their new crematorium in Melrose, the Scottish Borders.
George previously worked for the City of Edinburgh Council for over thirty years leading their extensive bereavement service which included Mortonhall, Scotland’s busiest crematorium, and over 40 cemeteries and churchyards.
This experience and knowledge has seen George serve on the Scottish Government Review Group, which most recently has helped to develop the proposed Certification of Death (Scotland) Bill, as well as being a long standing member of the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities where he led the Scottish Committee as technical representative and chairman.
Richard Evans, Managing Director of Westerleigh, was keen to emphasise the significance of George’s arrival: "George is incredibly well regarded and respected within the sector and we are extremely proud to have someone of his expertise and talent within the group. He is already well known in the Borders region and I am sure that he will lead the service there with the same dedication and professionalism as he did for many years in Edinburgh."
George added: "I am very much looking forward to the challenges in managing Borders Crematorium,and working for Westerleigh which has an excellent reputation within the industry for its high standards"
|
|
|
|
|
Partnership agreement will bring
much-needed investment for town’s
cemetery and crematorium
July 2011
|
|
|
|
|
NEARLY £3m of investment to make the town’s cemetery and crematorium fit for the future has been secured as Harlow Council welcomes a new private partner to run Parndon Wood Cemetery and Crematorium.
Westerleigh, a leading cemetery and crematorium operator, officially took up management of the service on Friday 1 July 2011. The site will be leased to the company for 25 years and will secure long term investment in the facility whilst the Council continues to retain ownership.
- The agreement will see a raft of phased improvements made by Westerleigh, including:
- A new glass roof feature for the main entrance of the crematorium and chapel.
- A new overspill car park to relieve congestion and improve the circulation of traffic.
- A new hedged garden with water feature will be created on the side of the chapel.
- A new floral tribute canopy with adjoining roadways widened for funeral cars.
- Creation of extra and enhanced landscaping around the chapel, floral tribute area and crematorium complex as a whole.
- New, landscaped memorial gardens including an enlarged pond and series of water features as part of ‘water garden’.
- Extended crematory to accommodate two new cremators and emissions control equipment.
The company will involve local residents and funeral directors in finalising the exact improvement plans.
The opening hours and customer access will be extended with a longer staff presence on site. There will also be a number of service standards the Council will expect the company to meet. These include keeping the site maintained and secured, carrying out annual customer satisfaction surveys and continuing to provide cremations for persons under three months of age free of charge.
Councillor Tony Hall, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Harlow Council, said: "This is a great deal for Harlow which will bring much needed investment for this important facility. It paves the way for a host of major improvements which the Council simply cannot afford and illustrates the Council’s commitment to protect and achieve the improvement of important Harlow facilities.
"Working in partnership with a major company like Westerleigh secures this valued service's future while keeping it within Council ownership."
|
|
|
|
|
Building of New Crematorium in Scottish Borders Begins
June 2011
|
|
|
|
|
Opening of new crematorium at Camborne
February 2011
|
|
|
|
|
A new crematorium in the heart of West Cornwall opened before Christmas at Treswithian Downs, close to Camborne.
The new service was approved after a successful planning appeal in 2009 where inspectors agreed that there was an overriding need for a crematorium to serve the area. Construction started in the spring of 2010 with the building finished on time despite the terrible winter waether.
The size of the site and its natural tree-lined boundary has allowed a very private and secluded place to be created. The grounds have also been carefully designed to ensure that the natural landscape is retained with stunning views from the chapel looking down across the valley.
‘We are just very keen to complete this scheme now as everyone can see what a wonderful place it will be and we have received fantastic support from local funeral directors and clergy’ commented Richard Evans, Managing Director of Westerleigh, ‘Hopefully we will be serving them soon and providing a special place for the communities in this area to hold their funerals’.
A fact confirmed by Vincent Young of Colin Matthews Funeral Directors: ‘ We are delighted to see the new crematorium as it is a service that people in this area have desperately needed for a very long time. The crematorium will be much more conveniently placed and is specifically designed to cater for the people of West Cornwall. It is also set in a lovely, natural spot and people have time to hold their service without being hurried along’. The Crematorium has been designed to meet the different needs of the bereaved, regardless of faith or belief, and the chapel can be altered to ensure that a fitting environment can be provided for any funeral. Modern music and lighting systems have been installed and the building has a light, natural look in sympathy with its rural surroundings.
Other features include:
- Built in natural materials in keeping with traditional style.
- Seating for approximately 100 people plus standing room for over double that number.
- Retention of existing hedgerows and trees supplemented with further tree planting and shrubs and flowers.
- Large bay window in the chapel to create a light and open space and allow views across the fields and woods below.
- Abatement equipment will be fitted to eliminate emissions and to produce a smoke-free environment.
- Wesley music system with loop facility and a traditional organ.
The other major difference will the huge reduction in travelling times for the bereaved in West Cornwall. Currently, round trips to Truro crematorium can take over 3 hours at busy times from Penzance and surrounding areas and even mourners in Camborne typically face a 45 minute drive. Darren Collick, Manager at Treswithian Downs added, “As a local person I know how much this crematorium is needed and I am sure that families will appreciate the natural setting and general peace and tranquillity. We know how difficult bereavement is and will ensure that we provide the best possible level of care to everyone who holds a funeral here.” |
|
Further information:
- The cremator equipment is fitted with modern filtration equipment which meets the very latest environmental standards and will ensure that the process is effectively clear to air.
- First year forecast is 600 funerals.
- Final figure will be approximately 1100 funerals per year.
- Total, inclusive cremation fee is £475 which is less than the crematoria at Bodmin and Penmount. Our fee includes all charges – organist, medical fees etc. ·
- Remembrance gardens will be developed over the next few weeks with an emphasis on living memorials such as trees, gardens and shrubs.
- Call Richard Evans on 07973 297 172 for further information.
|
|
|
Westerleigh lead design
of new crematorium for Sandwell
February 2011
|
|
|
|
|
A new crematorium for the residents of West Bromwich was opened in August 2010 following the successful completion of a three year build programme.
Westerleigh had been appointed in 2007 by Brendan Day, bereavement services manager, to assemble a design team for the project and had been selected due to their unrivalled experience of crematoria construction and refurbishment.
Adrian Britton, commercial director for Westerleigh, and Paul Daffurn, Group technical officer, led the early design discussions and oversaw the appointment of Martin Critchell Architects. Martin added ‘Westerleigh are experts in the development and operation of crematoria and we found their early input critical in determining the overall site layout and ensuring that the ultimate building would meet the very highest expectations of the bereaved. The specification they produced was very precise and focused on ensuring that the money was spent in the right areas, where the public would benefit the most’.
The £3.25million building in West Bromwich helds its first services in August, two weeks ahead of schedule and will be known as Sandwell Valley Crematorium. The new crematorium is larger, lighter, brighter and more environmentally friendly than the old building which is due to become a beautiful walled garden and café.
The new crematorium contains many modern features such as an online music selection service and the ability to broadcast services across the web for friends and relatives who can't make the actual funeral. The lighting inside the building can be set to over two million different colours and large funeral parties can watch the services on televisions in a covered area just outside the chapel should the main room, which can hold 125, is full.
New cremators and abatement equipment have also been fitted to ensure that the service meets the very latest environmental standards.
Sandwell Council's cabinet member for safer neighbourhoods Cllr Derek Rowley said: "We hope the new crematorium will make what is a difficult time for friends and family a little more pleasant. "The old crematorium was so dark and cramped and the new building couldn't be more different."
Sandwell Council's bereavement services manager Brendan Day added: ‘We think Sandwell Valley Crematorium is a great name, it reflects both the beautiful location and the borough."
|
|
|
|
|
The opening of West Lothian Crematorium
January 2011
|
|
|
|
|
The opening of West Lothian Crematorium in April saw the Westerleigh Group’s first sojourn into Scotland and the opening of their thirteenth operational site, located at Cousland Wood, Livingston.
The new crematorium is the result of a partnership between Westerleigh Group and West Lothian Council following an extensive tendering process. The Council provided the 25 acre woodland site in the heart of their district. A 15 acre site has been carved out of the woodland leaving a substantial screen of mature indigenous trees around the crematorium site allowing a very private and secluded setting for the crematorium and Gardens of Remembrance. The grounds have been carefully designed to ensure that the natural tree lined landscape is retained with the building blending beautifully into the undulating grounds, shaped with pools and burns of running water.
The building took place during one of the worst Scottish winters in living memory with snow on the ground from 17th December 2009 until the first week in April 2010.
Due to the extreme weather conditions landscaping works did not start until 12th April and from that date no measurable amount of rain fell until July which meant that all plant material planted in that period required a significant amount of ‘tender loving care’ to ensure its survival. Very few losses have been recorded in the first summer which was, by contrast, very wet.
The crematorium opened on 27th April 2010 and is easily accessed from the two major centres of Bathgate and Livingston and meets a significant need for the people of West Lothian and beyond. The 96 seat crematorium chapel has the state of the art Wesley sound system, capable of providing live web casts and an almost unlimited music library.
The chapel was dedicated on 9th September 2010 at a service led by the Revd. Norman MacRae, Moderator of the Presbytery of West Lothian with a number of other religious and secular leaders participating in the service, reflecting the differing beliefs within the area. Following the Dedication Service the Provost of West Lothian Council, Councillor Tom Kerr, closed the service stating that “West Lothian Council was delighted to be associated with the new crematorium which had been the Council’s intention to build 20 years earlier.
The Council will be pleased to work with the Westerleigh Group and are confident that they will deliver a quality service which will meet the significant needs of the people of West Lothian”.
A sculpture depicting three deer was commissioned by Mor Design following a long consultation process with the local community as part of the planning agreement with the Council and led by the authority’s arts officer. The sculpture has been positioned close to the main drive and is linked to a poem ‘an image to time’ by Sorley Maclean, a well known Gaelic Poet.
Provost Kerr later unveiled a plaque, positioned adjacent to the floral tribute area, showing quotes from the poem. The site has a resident herd of fallow deer and it was felt that the poem appropriately links the deer, trees and time and enhances the presence of the sculpture in the grounds. The deer sculpture, 4 metres high, was laser cut from mild steel, galvanised and powder coated white.
Around 90 guests attended the service and they were welcomed by Pipe Major Ian Bowden from the Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band who played some stirring pieces as guests arrived and later toured the building and grounds.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
From left to right:
Duncan McCallum Westerleigh Regional Manager
Andrew Ironside SAIFE (Scotland)
Councillor Mrs. Isabel Mattick
President FBCA Paul Cuthell NAFD (Scotland)
Councillor Tom Kerr Provost, West Lothian Council
Richard Evans Managing Director Westerleigh Group
|
|
From left to right:
Reverend Ken Brown
Canon Fred Tomlinson
Reverend John Bremner
Reverend Graham Smith
Julie Reid
Reverend Norman McRae Moderator of the Presbytery of West Lothian
Monsignor Alistair Lawson
Councillor Tom Kerr Provost West Lothian Council
|
|
|
Refurbished Crematorium re-opens
November 2010
|
|
|
|
|
Torquay crematorium was re-opened this week following months of work to improve the building and facilities.
Alex Finch, manager of the crematorium, is delighted with the finished appearance ‘ It has made a massive difference as virtually all of the internal areas have been renewed and upgraded. The whole appearance of the crematorium has also changed and the addition of a new porte cochere has created a much greater sense of ceremony for arriving funeral cars’.
The refurbishment of the crematorium has led to a whole range of improvements designed to provide a better service to the bereaved:
- Enlarged and refurbished chapel complete with new lighting and a state of the art digital music system. A new heating and climate control system has also been fitted.
- Restoration of the original catafalque and committal doors in line with the wishes of local funeral directors and clergy.
- New office added in an extension alongside the chapel to provide greater assistance to funeral directors and families. The original office at the entrance gates will remain as a cemetery office and genealogy room.
- New floral tribute canopy set alongside the memorial lawn. Additional planting and landscaping work is now taking place to provide a more private place for mourners who have just left the chapel and need time to meet with friends and family.
- New toilets and waiting room. An additional toilet for the disabled has also been provided together with other facilities to improve access.
- Overhaul of the memorial room which houses the books of remembrance.
- Enlarged entrance gates to allow two way traffic.
- Major refurbishment and upgrade of the cemetery chapel on Barton Road.
Some minor snagging still remains and further weather protection is planned for the floral tribute area but the changes have impressed local funeral directors and clergy:
Elaine Harrison, Manager of Torbay & District Funeral Service: ‘Westerleigh (the operators of the cremator) have consulted us throughout and altered the designs in light of our comments to ensure that we make the most of this opportunity. We have all worked together to try and minimise the disruption to mourners whilst the crematorium was closed and the refurbishment of the cemetery chapel proved to a great help during this time. The finished results are a vast improvement and will make a big difference to people’s experiences of the crematorium’.
Alex Finch added: ‘We are really delighted to see the work completed as it has been a strain on everyone but the final appearance makes it all worthwhile’.
|
|
|
|
|
Kent County Crematorium plc chooses to join Westerleigh
November 2010
|
|
|
|
|
Kent County Crematorium Plc (KCC), owners and operators of the two distinguished crematoria at Charing and Barham, has been acquired by the Westerleigh Group.
The board of KCC had decided to carry out a strategic review of their company in June and had invited offers for the business. After an intense process, involving strategic and financial buyers, Westerleigh emerged as the preferred bidder with a strong recommendation from the board of KCC for shareholders to sell.
Charing Crematorium was the first crematorium to be built in Kent when it opened in 1936 and the company continued to be pioneers of the cremation movement by opening a second crematorium at Barham, near to Canterbury, in 1956. The two crematoria care for almost 3500 funerals each year and are renowned for the elegance and quality of their buildings and their stunning natural setting.
As an independent company for more than 75 years, the Board of KCC plc did not take lightly its decision to embark on a sale process but chose Westerleigh, under the leadership of Managing Director Richard Evans, for its commitment to providing the best possible service to the bereaved. The board had also recognised ‘the benefit and enhanced opportunities that should be available to KCC plc and its management and employees as part of the Westerleigh Group in having a platform and increased resources available to it’. Jeremy Leigh Pemberton, Chairman of KCC plc, added: ‘The new owners Westerleigh have a record of operating crematoria in the interests of all stakeholders’.
Richard Evans was also delighted with the outcome; ‘This should prove to be a great and rewarding union for the two companies. Westerleigh have gained a pair of iconic crematoria, widely admired for their wonderful landscapes and with a distinguished tradition. This legacy will be preserved but we also hope to use our experience and expertise to review the current operations and improve, where possible, the service to the bereaved.’
|
|
|
WESSEX VALE CREMATORIUM OPENING
28th July 2010
|
|
|
|
|
Wessex Vale Crematorium, Bubb Lane, West End was officially opened on the 28th July 2010, with a number of Council Dignitaries, religious leaders and local funeral directors in attendance.
The Arch Deacon of Bournemouth, The Venerable Adrian Harbidge, led a multi-faith service, which included contributions from various religious and secular groups. Sikh representative, Mr Singh, additionally reading "The Meaning of life" from the Sikh scriptures.
Manager, Lisa Johnson, hopes that the opening ceremony will have demonstrated Wessex Vales commitment in providing a peaceful, tranquil and much needed new setting, which appeals to the multi faith community in the West End area.
|
|
|
|
|
WesT LOTHIAN crematorium opens
April 2010
|
|
|
|
|
A new crematorium in the heart of West Lothian is set to be opened next week (April 26th) in Cousland Wood, Livingston.
The new service is the result of a partnership between Westerleigh and West Lothian Council following an extensive tender process where Westerleigh were selected for the quality of their design and national experience.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We are pleased to work with Westerleigh to deliver an important new crematorium facility in West Lothian. We are confident they will deliver a quality new facility, which will meet a significant need for the people of West Lothian.”
The local authority provided the site, a 25 acre woodland in the heart of their district, easily accessible from the two major centres of Bathgate and Livingston. The size of the site and its natural tree-lined boundary has allowed a very private and secluded place to be created. The grounds have also been carefully designed to ensure that the natural landscape is retained, a point emphasised during the hard winter where the wood was covered in snow for nearly four months.
‘There was still a substantial amount of snow on the ground in late February and the whole place looked magical especially with the white capped hills in the distance and the deer running along through the woods’ added Westerleigh’s Managing Director, Richard Evans.
Work will continue on the grounds during the spring and early summer and will be shaped with a softly undulating landscape, shaped with pools and burns of running water. All framed within the backdrop of a mature woodland. ‘We are just very keen to complete this scheme now as everyone can see what a wonderful site it will be and we have received fantastic support from local funeral directors and clergy’ added Mr Evans ‘Hopefully we will be serving them soon and providing a special place for the community of West Lothian to hold their funerals’. A fact confirmed by Jim Brodie, a local funeral Director: ‘ We are delighted to see the new crematorium as it is a service that people in this area have desperately needed for a very long time. The crematorium will be much more conveniently placed and is specifically designed to cater for the people of West Lothian. It is also set in a lovely, natural spot and people have time to hold their service without being hurried along’. The Crematorium has been designed to meet the different needs of the bereaved, regardless of faith or belief, and the chapel can be altered to ensure that a fitting environment can be provided for any funeral. Modern music and lighting systems have been installed and the building has a light, natural look in sympathy with its rural surroundings.
Call Richard Evans on 07973 297 172 for further information.
|
|
Other features include:
- Retention of historic woodland around the boundary of the site. Further planting of semi-mature trees together with shrubs, flowers and hedgerow are planned as conditions improve.
- A large natural pond on the approach to the chapel.
- Built in natural materials in keeping with traditional style.
- Seating for approximately 100 people plus standing room for many more.
- A walled garden can be viewed on the right hand side of the chapel with a water feature at its centre.
- A modern computerised music system with loop facility and a traditional organ.
- Formal car parking for 75 cars. Carole Taylor, Manager at West Lothian added, “As a local person I know how much this crematorium is needed and I am sure that families will appreciate the natural setting and general peace and tranquillity. We know how difficult bereavement is and will ensure that we provide the best possible level of care to everyone who holds a funeral here.” ENDS further information:
- The cremator equipment is fitted with modern filtration equipment which meets the very latest environmental standards and will ensure that the process is effectively clear to air.
- First year forecast is 600 funerals.
- Final figure will be approximately 1000 funerals per year.
- Cremation fee is £545 which is less than crematoria in Edinburgh: Mortonhall Crematorium, operated by City of Edinburgh Council, charges £579 and Warriston crematorium, operated by the Edinburgh Crematorium company, charges £565. Falkirk crematorium, operated by Falkirk Council charge £641. Our fee includes all charges – organist, medical fees etc.
- Initial reaction from families, clergy, FDs has been very positive – everyone likes the fact that the buildings and grounds blend into the rural environment.
- Memorial gardens will be developed over the next few weeks with an emphasis on living memorials such as trees, gardens and shrubs.
|
|
|
Wessex Vale crematorium opens
Dec 2009
|
|
|
|
|
A new crematorium to serve Eastleigh, and its surrounding areas, opened before Christmas and has helped to ease pressure on bereaved families and funeral directors during a very difficult period. Suffering a loss around Christmas is always particularly distressing and the situation is often made worse by the fact that many crematoria are very busy at this time of year with families forced to wait two weeks or more for a space at the crematorium. The opening of Wessex Vale is therefore well timed and provides a convenient choice to the overstretched facilities at Portchester and Southampton. A fact confirmed by Nigel Chamberlain: ‘ Many of the families that I serve have chosen Wessex Vale because it is quiet and easy to get to. The crematorium is set in a lovely, natural spot and people have time to hold their service without being hurried along’.
The Crematorium has also been designed to meet the different needs of the bereaved, regardless of faith or belief, and the chapel can be altered to ensure that a fitting environment can be provided for any funeral. Modern music and lighting systems have been installed and the building has a light, natural look in sympathy with its rural surroundings. Other features include: ·
- Retention of historic woodland around the boundary of the site. Further planting of semi-mature trees together with shrubs, flowers and hedgerow are planned when weather conditions allow!
- A large natural pond on the approach to the chapel.
- Built in native Hampshire red brick to match the traditional look of the area.
- Seating for approximately 100 people plus standing room for many more.
- A walled garden can be viewed on the right hand side of the chapel with a water feature at its centre.
- A modern computerised music system with loop facility and a traditional organ.
- Formal car parking for 75 cars.
|
|
Lisa Johnson, Manager at Wessex Vale added, “A new, modern crematorium is very much needed in this area and we have been pleased to help so many local people during our first few weeks. Once the weather improves we will get to work in the grounds to tidy up the lawns and carry out further planting and we will ensure that the local community receives the best level of service possible.”
further information:
- There are two cremators with modern filtration equipment which meets the very latest environmental standards and will ensure that the process is effectively clear to air.
- First year forecast is 750 funerals.
- Final figure will be approximately 1500 funerals per year.
- Fee is £525 which is less than both Basingstoke and Southampton. Our fee includes all charges – organist, medical fees etc.
- Initial reaction from families, clergy, FDs has been very positive – everyone likes the fact that the buildings and grounds blend into the rural environment.
- Memorial gardens will be developed in the spring with an emphasis on living memorials such as trees, gardens and shrubs.
|
|
|
