Work to beautify paupers' graveyard site starts

Stuart Anderson

Published: 4:49 PM September 4, 2021

Organiser Wendy Sadler. Volunteers are creating a memorial garden in Aylsham. Picture: CHARLOTTE BO

Wendy Sadler and other volunteers are creating a memorial garden at the site of a paupers' graveyard at the site of the former Aylsham Workhouse. - Credit: CHARLOTTE BOND

They were ordinary people who fell on hard times, and they were buried in unmarked paupers' graves.

And though the site of the graveyard where more than 500 former Aylsham Workhouse inmates are interred has been left unloved and overgrown, it is now being transformed into a community garden and a space to reflect on the past.

Volunteers are creating a memorial garden in Aylsham. Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND

Volunteers are creating a memorial garden at the site of a paupers' graveyard at the site of the former Aylsham Workhouse. - Credit: CHARLOTTE BOND

Wendy Sadler, from Aylsham, is working on the project to restore the paupers' graves site at the workhouse, which later became St Michael's Hospital and was closed in 2012.

Mrs Sadler said: "The site has been derelict for over six years, so we've been doing some sessions to get ready for grass seed sowing and planting woodland plants.

Geoff Sadler a volunteer at the garden project. Volunteers are creating a memorial garden in Aylsham

Geoff Sadler and other volunteers are creating a memorial garden at the site of a paupers' graveyard at the site of the former Aylsham Workhouse. - Credit: CHARLOTTE BOND

"Volunteers are doing this with the co-operation with the town council, who are also in the process of putting in a path to make the area more accessible.

"This is about reclaiming it as part of Aylsham's history. When we're finished we aim to put a storyboard at the entrance to tell the history of the site to visitors."

Lindsey Little a volunteer at the garden project.

Lindsey Little is among the volunteers creating a memorial garden at the site of a paupers' graveyard at the site of the former Aylsham Workhouse. - Credit: CHARLOTTE BOND

As well as the town council, the project is supported by Aylsham in Bloom, the Royal Horticultural Society and grant from Greening Great Britain.

Aylsham Workhouse was built in 1848-49, just over a decade after the Aylsham Poor Law union was formed. People were usually sent there because they were too poor, old or ill to support themselves.

Debbie Willis and Bob Kent. Volunteers are creating a memorial garden in Aylsham. Picture: CHARLOTT

Debbie Willis and Bob Kent are among the volunteers creating a memorial garden at the site of a paupers' graveyard at the site of the former Aylsham Workhouse. - Credit: CHARLOTTE BOND

The graveyard was in use between 1857 and 1903 and Aylsham resident Diana Duhig has painstakingly recorded details of all 548 people buried there, using workhouse information kept in the Norfolk Record Office.

They range in age from one-day-old twins, Florence and Martha Garford, buried in January 1883, to someone in their mid 90s.

Volunteer Andy Mitchell. Volunteers are creating a memorial garden in Aylsham. Picture: CHARLOTTE B

Volunteer Andy Mitchell and others are creating a memorial garden in Aylsham. - Credit: CHARLOTTE BOND

Volunteers can take part in garden clearing sessions on Monday, September 6 at 10am, September 7 at 2pm, September 8 at 10am and September 11 at 2pm. To get in touch with Mrs Sadler, email wmsadler42@gmail.com or call 078550 49963.

Mrs Sadler said: "We are making good progress but need more volunteers, so please come and join us. Bring a rake or hoe a fork, gardening gloves and wear stout shoes."