Thank you Farsley Phoenix Scouts!

On Valentine’s Day 2023, we were joined by members of Farsley Phoenix Scouts, parents and Scout leaders to assist in two new and crucial areas of work. These were detailed in our briefing document, with extracts shown below:

Work details - Area 1:

The “Old Ground” of the Rehoboth is a flat accessible area containing the oldest visible memorials in the Burial Ground dating back to 1832, including a number of historically important graves. They include the founder and family of the world famous Rodley Crane Works.

Sometime in 2003 large quantities of soil and building materials were bull dozed over an unknown quantity of graves during the widening of a bordering access road. We calculate between 30-40 tonnes in total.

The task is to carefully remove the top layers of material from the graves and redistribute 100 metres away for recycling of the soil with disposal of the building material into skip(s).

This is a significant task and would greatly contribute to uncovering the remaining secrets of the Rehoboth.

Work details - Area 2:

The Rehoboth has a steep wooded area, landscaped into horizontal sections by the Victorians. We are developing from a transportable template a network of all-weather accessible paths. These consist of wood sleepers, tanalised wood edging and a surface of ballast, weed matting and interlocking limestone chippings. There is no cement or chemicals used.

This important task ensures safe access all year round for relatives, visitors and volunteers and complements the features of the landscape.

The flat “Old Ground” area has also been selected for placement day activities to have an extended accessible path. This is a simplified process with stone curbs to add, followed by weed matting and wheelbarrow loads of interlocking 20 mm limestone chippings.

Both areas of work were successfully started by the Scouts and supported by our own regular volunteers, more than 1.5 tonnes was removed from the building debris and 2 tonnes of limestone chippings placed in the “Old Ground” area to form a new path and assembly area. We look forward to working again with Farsley Phoenix Scouts and thank them for their work and support.