New wildlife haven project for cemetery

The basket from an old beacon used for an historic event amid the dumping ground at the corner of Sleaford Cemetery which is set to be transformed. EMN-200510-155701001

Town councillors are pressing ahead with a project to convert a sizeable neglected corner of Sleaford’s cemetery into an environmental ‘garden’ which can be used as a social space and promote wildlife. There are also discussions to take over the green area known as The Cut on Eastbanks from the Sleaford and District Civic Trust to make better use of this nature area as another ‘green lung’ for the town.

Mayor of Sleaford Anthony Brand said the cemetery has significant historic and natural value and he had been intrigued by it since becoming a town councillor four years ago.

A guided walk has been prepared for the location by local historian Simon Pawley. This includes creating an A3 self-guided trail leaflet picking out notable graves and the history behind them, referring to the ‘Great Stink of Sleaford’ caused by poor sanitation.

The Cut could pass into the hands of the Town Council as the Civic Trust reassesses its priorities. EMN-200510-160324001

The neglected, raised corner of the cemetery has been used as a dumping ground. Coun Brand said: “It was a former brick yard and unsuitable for graves.”

He explained that the council has approved spending of up to £5,000 donated by developers for amenity improvements to re-landscape and make the area accessible, which is 110m long and tapers in width from 28m to 11m wide.

Coun Brand said: “I visualise that there will be areas of tree planting and bird boxes. The mounds will be lowered and benches put in place to encourage people to come to sit and walk here and enjoy it as an asset for the town and its visitors.”

The Woodland Trust will supply appropriate trees and clearance work is expected to get started after Christmas.

Meanwhile, the council is in early stage talks with the Civic Trust about taking on The Cut as the trust reassesses its future priorities.

The Cut is a dead end stretch of the Slea Navigation which was restored as a garden.

David Marriage, of the trust, said they are busy developing Sleaford Castle as a heritage attraction and was aware of council intentions to enhance the green areas alongside the River Slea.

They have suggested the switch as the Town Council own and manage many other green spaces.