New memorial hall and gardens coming soon to Rochdale Cemetery

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

West lodge at the main entrance to Rochdale Cemetery (pictured in 2012)

Major restoration works have begun at West Lodge at Rochdale Cemetery to make way for a new memorial hall, which should be completed by spring 2021.

West Lodge is a Grade II listed lodge, which has sadly stood empty for a number of years due to the poor internal condition. The lodge dates back to the cemetery’s creation in 1855 and was originally the Registrar’s office accommodation.

The new works will see the lodge transform into a new memorial hall and book of remembrance room where the public can visit to pay respects and to discuss options for storing ashes and memorials to loved ones.

Included in the conversion of the lodge is the demolition of old toilet block to the rear of the building to make room for a small memorial garden, with a larger heart shaped garden planned further up the driveway close to the war memorial.

The gardens will allow families to display memorial plaques and engraved leaves on a new memorial tree and provide a quiet space to sit and reflect times past.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for quality of place, said: “We’re delighted to be able to start work on the transformation of West Lodge at Rochdale Cemetery. West Lodge will be respectfully restored with extreme care taken to preserve the very heart of this once loved building – breathing new life into existing foundations for residents to cherish and remember lost loved ones for years to come.

“The new gardens will also bring regeneration through extensive planting, set around the focal point of the symbolic memorial tree providing visitors the perfect place to think, reflect and remember, year after year.”

This second phase of improvements to the site follows the restoration of the East lodge in 2015. This included major restoration to the building, which is now utilised by registration staff and Operational Supervisor.

Upgrades also saw the reinstatement of a section of wrought iron railings fronting Bury Road, which were removed in 1940 at the start of the war so the metal could be used for munitions.  Additional improvements included work to restore the stone arches around the entrance gates, using original materials in accordance with English Heritage guidelines.