Friday 1 December 2023 saw the official opening of the newly refurbished cemetery gates. The weather was kind to us and the sun shone as Dame Diana Johnson, MP for Hull North, kindly performed the ceremony for us at our invitation.
The Friends of Hull General Cemetery (FOHGC) identified refurbishment of the gates as a project that would enhance the appearance of the entrance to the cemetery. Quotes for the work involved were obtained and we applied for a local ward budget grant from Hull City Council. Our application was successful and we appointed local firm Lightowler to carry out the cleaning and repainting of the gates. This began in October 2022 and was completed surprisingly quickly considering it had to be done between rain showers, and well in time for the official opening.
It was good to be able to get the work done by a well-established local firm – the same one that carried out the previous refurbishment of the gates over 40 years ago. Our grateful thanks to Lightowler for all their hard work and to Hull City Council for providing the funding for this important project.
And finally, here's what Lightowler said about the occasion -
"There’s nothing we love more than helping to improve local communities, so we were thrilled to support the conservation efforts being made by the Friends of Hull General Cemetery.
Since 2018, this community group of volunteers has taken on the challenge of caring for the heritage site of special natural interest, which lies off Spring Bank West.
Dating back to 1847, this important and historic green space has undergone a number of improvements in recent years – including a complete refurbishment of its cherished Cuthbert Brodrick gates.
Having originally painted the imposing official entrance back in October 1981, we were thrilled to assist with their recent makeover.
Mark, who spruced up the gates for us 43 years ago, was delighted to attend the official opening by Hull North MP Dame Diana Johnson to admire our latest handiwork, alongside our Commercial Director Tim Davison.
We’d like to says a massive well done to the Friends of Hull General Cemetery committee for their dedication and commitment – you really are reclaiming the area and returning it back into a vital community resource."
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