 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||
 |
 |
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
8 August 2008 BETH JOINS THE BURIAL PARK TEAM Graduate Beth Penney is the latest new recruit to join the team at Epping Forest Burial Park. Prior to taking up her post as marketing assistant, 21-year-old Beth studied at the University of Northampton, where she gained a 2:1 BA (Hons) in Marketing. In her new role at the 52-acre North Weald woodland cemetery Beth is developing the programme of summer events including concerts, activities for children and remembrance services. “It’s a lovely peaceful place to work, the surroundings are just beautiful,” said Beth, who lives in Saffron Walden. A keen horsewoman Beth holds the Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award. “Spreading the word about what we offer and encouraging people to visit is an important job and we’re delighted to welcome Beth to the team,” said Marketing Manager Fran Hall. Believed to be the UK’s largest mature woodland cemetery, Epping Forest Burial Park was officially opened by Kate Adie OBE in May, following a service of dedication led by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt. Rev. John Gladwin. |
 |
|||
|
25 July 2008 GREEN FLAG WILL FLY OVER EPPING FOREST A newly-opened Essex woodland cemetery has received a prestigious national award in recognition of its eco-friendly ethos. Epping Forest Burial Park near North Weald has been given a Green Flag Award – a benchmark of excellence in green spaces. It is one of the few privately run parks in the country to receive an award and the staff are delighted: “It’s a tremendous endorsement of our green credentials and our attitude to open spaces. It is very satisfying to know we meet the exacting standards of the awards and we’re delighted to win a green flag,” said Managing Director Nick Taylor, who received the award at a ceremony in Liverpool yesterday, Thursday. The Green Flag awards are run by the The Civic Trust, the country’s leading urban environment charity. Judges look at seven key criteria including sustainability, community involvement, management and conservation. Epping Forest Burial Park was officially opened in May by Kate Adie OBE, following an inter-denominational service of dedication led by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt. Rev. John Gladwin. Believed to be the largest mature woodland burial park in the country, it offers 52 acres of mature woodland for burials and the interment or scattering of ashes. Visitors are welcome seven days a week – whether they want to enjoy a woodland walk, visit a grave or find out more about the eco-friendly park. A programme of events includes Sunday afternoon concerts, children’s activities and services of remembrance. “It’s a place where death is shown to be part of the cycle of life and not something to be feared or hidden. Those who have been bereaved find a peace and healing in the tranquillity of the woodland and may draw renewed hope from the changing seasons,” added Nick Taylor. Epping Forest Burial Park is based on a concept developed at Colney Woodland Burial Park in Norfolk, which has been named the UK’s top green cemetery for the last three years running. Work has just started on a 72-acre park in the Chilterns. |
 |
|||
|
14 July 2008 MUM PLANTS FIRST TREE OF REMEMBRANCE AT BURIAL PARK An Essex mum who has helped raise thousand of pounds to help sick children has planted the first tree in an avenue of remembrance at Epping’s new woodland burial park. |
 |
|||
|
23 June 2008 EXTRAS CALL IN EPPING Producers of an educational DVD with a difference are appealing for volunteer extras to take part in filming in Epping Forest next week. The newly opened Epping Forest Burial Park has commissioned a professional film crew to produce a DVD explaining how the woodland cemetery operates and highlighting the options available to families looking for alternatives to traditional funerals. And on Monday, 30 June, extras are needed to attend a mock funeral at the 52-acre natural burial ground near North Weald. “It’s a chance for people to experience what we’re all about without the upset associated with being at a genuine funeral,” explained Fran Hall. “We’re looking for people of all ages and backgrounds - all we ask is that they are dressed appropriately. It might not be as glamorous as a role in a Hollywood blockbuster but, who knows, it could be good experience.” Filming is expected to take less than three hours and volunteers will be offered refreshments, along with a complimentary copy of the completed DVD. “With a huge amount of interest in alternative funerals it seemed a logical step to make a short film to show people exactly what we offer. We hope the finished footage will help to de-mystify woodland funerals in particular and also to encourage more people to plan ahead.” The DVD will be used at local and national exhibitions, as well as a backdrop to talks to local groups. Officially opened by award winning broadcaster and author Kate Adie OBE last month, Epping Forest Burial Park is thought to be the largest mature woodland cemetery in the country. It is open 365 days a year, welcoming everyone, whether they want to enjoy a woodland walk, visit a loved one or reserve a plot. Volunteer extras need to be available from 9am – noon on Monday 30 June. Anyone interested should contact Beth Penney on 01992 523863. [More] |
 |
|||
|
12 June 2008 NATURE INSPIRED YOUNG ARTISTS A trio of budding young artists have been named winners in a competition which focused on spring in the woodland. The arty challenge was held to celebrate the opening of Epping Forest Burial Park, with entries on display at recent champagne events and open days. Winners - chosen by Epping Forest District Council Chair Cllr. Caroline Pond – were: Jack Langston, Dr. Walkers C of E Primary School, Fyfield (under fives); Arren Marshall, Moreton CE Primary School, Ongar (five to seven years); Oliver Eggleton-Smith, Coopersale & Theydon Garnon CE Primary School (eight – 11 yrs). Each winner will receive art materials, a family membership to Essex Wildlife Trust and either a tree, nestbox or bird table for their school. “We were overwhelmed with entries – the response was amazing and that made judging very difficult,” said organiser Fran Hall. “It’s fantastic to see just how aware children are of the natural world around them and the entries provided an extra splash of colour at our celebrations,” she added. Set in 52-acres of mature woodland, Epping Forest Burial Park offers an alternative, natural setting for funerals. As well as being available for burials, interments and the scattering of ashes, the woodland is open to everyone, seven days a week. [More] |
 |
|||
|
9 May 2008 KATE ADIE TO OPEN WOODLAND CEMETERY Award winning author and broadcaster Kate Adie OBE will officially open Epping Forest Burial Park - the country’s largest woodland cemetery – tomorrow, Friday 10 May. As the BBC’s Chief News Correspondent, Kate Adie has worked in danger zones across the world, covering wars and conflicts in regions including the Gulf, China, Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. Having frequently encountered death, chaos and violence during her long career she is now working on a book about people who work in highly dangerous occupations. “We are delighted that Kate Adie has agreed to open our new burial park in Epping,” said Marketing Manager Fran Hall. “We wanted to have a special person who would be able to speak with knowledge about death, and Kate is someone who has had first hand experience witnessing life-threatening situations, as well as being a wonderful communicator.” The event will be followed by an open weekend (Saturday 10 May – Sunday 11 May) when visitors will be able to meet the team and find out more about the environmentally friendly undertakings. The 52-acre mature woodland cemetery is open to everyone seven days a week, and a choice of plots is available for burials, interments and the scattering of ashes. Burials are arranged in circles around trees and areas around special ‘snowdrop’ trees are reserved for the graves of babies and young children. A specialist eco-management programme will improve the biodiversity of the woodland, creating a haven for wildlife and native species. It is expected that around half of the graves will be sold to people buying for themselves, ahead of time. Epping Forest Burial Park is based on a concept developed at Colney Woodland Burial Park in Norfolk, which has been named the UK’s top green burial site for the last three years running. Facilities in the park include a woodland hall for funeral and memorial services, as well as a gathering hall. A woodland buggy service is available for those with limited mobility. An interdenominational service of dedication earlier this month was led by the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Ret. Rev. John Gladwin. “With space running out in traditional cemeteries, woodland burials not only provide extra space but also more choice within peaceful and natural surroundings,” added Fran Hall. [More] |
 |
|||
|
14 April 2008 GREENER UNDERTAKINGS Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt. Rev. John Gladwin led a service of dedication at the new 52-acre Epping Forest Burial Park in North Weald on Friday, 11 April. Over 120 people attended the inter-denominational service at the £2.7m venue, believed to be the largest woodland burial park in the country. It offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional funerals, available for burials, interments and the scattering of ashes. “We’re very pleased with the new buildings and delighted that representatives of a variety of faiths took part in the dedication service,” said Managing Director Nick Taylor. After the dedication, doves were released by 15 of the families who have already laid loved ones to rest in the woodland. Also taking part in the service were: Rabbi Irit Shillor, Harlow Synagogue; Peter Goble, Buddist Hospice Trust; Father James Hawes, Church of the Immaculate Conception, Epping; Kim Noakes, Institute of Civil Celebrants; Rev. Andrew Hollins, Beds, Essex & Herts Methodist District; Humanist Funeral Officiant Graham Ward; Rev. June Colley, St. James United Reformed Church, Buckhurst Hill; Mary Morris, British Humanist Association; Rev. Sheila Martin, Baptist Union of Great Britain. Kingsley Bryant, President of the National Association of Funeral Directors also took part. Epping Forest Burial Park is based on a concept developed in Norfolk at Colney Wood, which has been named the UK’s top green burial site for three years running. Planning permission was granted in 2006 and work began last summer to create an access road, reception centre, gathering hall, ceremonial courtyard and woodland hall. From next month the park will be open to everyone seven days a week. Ongoing work will be carried out to improve the biodiversity of the woodland, to create a haven for wildlife and native species. “With space running out in traditional cemeteries, woodland burials not only provide extra space but also more choice within peaceful and natural surroundings,” added Nick Taylor. [More] |
 |
|||
|
14 March 2008 DIG THIS! Fresh air, exercise – and a free lunch – are being offered to volunteers who sign up for a mammoth hedgerow planting session in North Weald later this month. Woodland staff at the new Epping Forest Burial Park are appealing for volunteers to help plant a new hedgerow along the driveway on Saturday 29 March. “We’ve got around 3,000 native shrubs to plant and everyone is welcome to help – all you need is a trowel,” said Fran Hall. Volunteers should register at the burial park – off Kiln Road – at 9.30am for a 10am start. People taking part will also be able to take a look at the newly completed woodland halls which will be soon available to families for funerals and services of remembrance. [More] |
 |
|||
|
21 February 2008 SNOWDROP TREES FOR LOST BABIES Special areas have been set aside for the burial of babies in the newly opened Epping Forest Burial Park. A number of ‘snowdrop’ trees within the 52-acre woodland are to become dedicated burial areas for babies who die before or shortly after birth. “With Mothers’ Day approaching we felt it was an appropriate time to open up these dedicated areas for families who have lost babies,” explained Fran Hall. And bereaved parents will be invited to take part in a special service of remembrance for lost babies in October, which will be followed by the planting of snowdrop bulbs around the special trees. “Many burial parks insist on babies and children being buried in a separate section, but we want to offer families more choice and the opportunity for them to reserve plots for other family members close by. Two babies have already been buried side by side under one of the snowdrop trees,” added Fran Hall. [More] |
 |
|||
|
FROM THE TREES TO THE SEAS Fran Hall, one of the management team at Epping Forest Burial Park, has recently enjoyed the experience of a lifetime. She took up an opportunity offered by Bibby Line Ltd, one of the shareholders in the company, to volunteer on a 92' replica pilot schooner, sailing around the South Coast of England with a crew made up of young people. The ship, Spirit of Fairbridge, is run by a charity which supports young people from underprivileged backgrounds in England's inner cities, and the opportunity to sail is offered to those who have made most progress in their self development. "It was an extraordinary week" said Fran, "I didn't know what to expect, as I have never sailed before, but I optimistically packed bikinis and suncream in the vague hope that I might spend some time relaxing on deck amidst sparkling blue seas. Instead, even six layers of clothes weren't enough to keep me warm in a Force 8 gale with horizontal rain and 15' waves, and I gave up with mascara on the second day! Despite this, and despite having sleeping accomodation that was comprised of a leaky cabin that slept 12 on thin rubber mattresses, I had more fun than I have ever had. The young people I spent the week with were incredible, funny and intelligent, despite having come from backgrounds that were desperately difficult, and, in some cases, heart-breaking. We shared a magical week, and I have come home with memories that I will never forget. It was an absolute privilege to meet such a fantastic group of people, and I can now proudly count a 15 year old, several 18 and 19 year olds and a 22 year old as some very special friends." |
 |
|||
| Pages within this section: [Local News] Other pages within this site: [Home] [The Concept] [The History] [Family Feedback] [FAQ's] [Welcome] [The Park] [Visitor Information] [Events Diary] [Contact Us] |
 |
|||
    |
||||