Visiting The Friends of Flaybrick Memorial Gardens

meganatkinson3
Oct 6
3 min read

Talking to the volunteers of the organisation and learning more about their work

Recently we got the exciting opportunity to visit Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, situated on Tollemache Road (CH41 0DG), so we could learn more about the fantastic work that goes into running and maintaining an important site of historical significance.

Robert Dolphin, from The Friends of Flaybrick, kindly organised a shortened tour of the Gardens. Throughout our tour we got to hear first hand accounts of how volunteering not only helps maintain the site but also helps to uncover the rich history of the individuals laid to rest at The Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, from as far back as 1864.

What can you expect when visiting?

As you walk around Flaybrick Memorial Gardens you will get to experience elaborate Gothic memorials, detailed funerary architecture and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of nature. The cemetery is split into specific sections in order of religion, this includes a Non-Conformist, Church of England and Roman Catholic section. You will also have the opportunity to learn about interesting people of the past by utilising the QR codes placed beside graves of interest or by signing up to a guided tour delivered by passionate volunteers.

The Gardens are open from 10am - 6pm every day, with volunteers meeting every Thursday and Saturday from 10am - 12pm.

Volunteering at Flaybrick Memorial Gardens

Over the years, volunteers have poured their love and passion for local history into the work they do for the Friends of Flaybrick. Robert detailed how volunteers have worked tirelessly to conduct their own research about how the cemetery came to be, and the individuals buried throughout the grounds. From this research, volunteers were able to establish connections between individuals, find the gravesites of family members and organise engaging tours throughout the Gardens.

As we followed Robert in between large monuments, two women approached us and asked for the location of a specific grave. Robert pointed them in the correct direction of the burial site, which was on the other side of the gardens. One of the women had been looking for years, trying to track down their great grandparent’s grave, and emailed Robert (using the ‘Grave Search Database’ on the Flaybrick Memorial Gardens website) to see if he could locate them. Robert and volunteers used their growing database to locate the grave, which turned out to be apart of a large war memorial. It was clear as we spoke to Robert, there were many heart-warming stories of reuniting long-lost relatives through the Flaybrick Volunteering Team’s efforts.

Volunteers also work to maintain all 26 acres that make up the Memorial Garden. Their work consists of ground clearance, path laying, as well as plant and weed control around memorials. This work is an integral part of what makes the gardens such a peaceful place to visit. It was clear to us on our visit that a lot of love and care has been put into caring for the grounds and memorials over the years.

Flaybrick Memorial Gardens are currently looking for a secretary to join their knowledgeable team of volunteers. If you are interested contact Flaybrick Memorial Gardens by emailing friends@flaybrick.org

Famous Graves

Take a look at some of the notable people listed below and see if you recognise any of them! To find out more about their life and legacy make sure to visit The Flaybrick Memorial Gardens website, or better yet, pay them a visit.

The first female and socialist Mayor of Birkenhead: Mary Ann Mercer