Fun and history at autumn fayre
The Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Mary Hopkinson, will officially open an Autumn Fayre at the historic Stanton Road Cemetery in Ilkeston on Saturday 9 September at 1pm.
Organised by the Friends of Stanton Road Cemetery, the FREE fun afternoon will take place between 1pm and 3pm when a whole range of activities will be on offer for all the family.
Guided walks around the cemetery will help visitors discover more about the history of the Victorian burial ground – which includes the grave of Samuel Taylor, the famous Ilkeston Giant, and an impressive wood-carved statue which stands in his honour.
Also lined up at the Erewash Borough Council-owned cemetery is music courtesy of Ilkeston Brass – while the afternoon attractions will feature activities for children and stalls, including a chutney stall, wooden items for sale and Derby RSPB. There will also be a chance to chat to members of the Friends group as well as the council’s Neighbourhood Dog Wardens who will be there to give help and advice to dog owners and talk about the day to day role of a dog warden.
Representatives from the Ilkeston and District Local History Society and the Friends of Kirk Hallam Lake will also be in attendance.
Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:
“Stanton Road cemetery’s history makes it a fascinating place to visit, with the monuments and gravestone inscriptions giving a real insight into the past and the families who lived in the Ilkeston area in generations gone by. The Autumn Fayre is free and is always both fun and informative thanks to the local experts who help us treasure and maintain this historic cemetery.”
Anyone interested in joining the Friends of Stanton Road Cemetery can find more information at the website: www.friendsofstantonroadcemetery.org.uk
Friends of Stanton Road Cemetery – Stanton Road Cemetery
