The first stage in the implementation of the New Landscape Management Plan* is well under way. This initial phase involves moving area by area through the West Cemetery, removing brambles, severing arborescent ivy stems on tree trunks, felling sycamore and ash saplings, pruning low holly branches and pulling out deadwood and fallen trees. Some areas had become almost impenetrable, choked with these invasive species which between them blocked light and views of memorials, impeded access to gravesites and precluded biodiversity. Their removal is making certain parts of the cemetery look rather bleak temporarily by comparison to the dense thicket that existed before, but this is a necessary stage we have to pass through in order to achieve our ultimate goal.

The next stage of the plan will be the gradual felling of the spindly self-sown ash trees which dominate the cemetery to the exclusion of other species, after which we will replant a mix of native trees and shrubs, and sew wild flower mixes underneath. Felling and replanting go hand in hand; we only have permission to fell trees if we recreate a more viable woodland habitat subsequently. Thus what you see now is not what you will see in 10 or 20 or 30 years time. This is a long-term programme; the landscape is in a continual process of change.

Most of this work is being carried out by volunteers, to whom we owe a deep dept of gratitude. Twice a month we run day-long working parties with our own team of volunteers. We have received help from Go-London and a local student group. But the main event this year has been the inception of a programme in which we work beside groups of corporate volunteers. Teams have joined us from the civil service, an investment company, a property company, a large multi-national and several banks. Not only have these teams been enthusiastic and hard-working, but they have also donated very welcome funds. We hope to have more such teams next year, and we also invite individual volunteers to get in touch with us, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .