About the Friends
The Friends of Linthorpe Cemetery & Nature Reserve are a dedicated group of people drawn from the local community and some from further a field, they first formed in 1996. They wish to preserve and enhance Linthorpe Cemetery & its Nature Reserve for the education of children and adults who seek the peace and tranquility of the largest piece of mature woodland in the centre of Middlesbrough as well as to study and enjoy the history and natural history of the cemetery and the town.
The Friends helped to raise money from the Heritage Lottery Fund with the help of Middlesbrough Environment City and Middlesbrough Council making it possible for a restoration project to be completed. New paths, new gates, fencing and a sculpture have all been laid or erected along with the restoration of the Hebrew Prayer House.
Before all the restoration could begin we had to first establish a bond with the local community and we helped Bereavement Services establish a memorial for the many children buried in the cemetery both marked and unmarked. We also pulled together a group of local people drawn from the Womens’ Institutes, Local Schools, Quakers, Friends Group, Sahara Group and individuals who wanted to produce a lasting piece of artwork showing the rich nature and historical heritage of Linthorpe Cemetery. This amazing wall-hanging named ‘Window on Paradise’ travels around the area and is a constant source of conversation and enquiry to all who see it.
The history of the land within the cemetery is fascinating and so far we have travelled back to before the Doomsday Book. Signs of early farming methods are here along with the remnants of an ancient field boundary hedgerow. Connections with Guisborough Priory and Acklam Hall and Salmon Fisheries on the Tees are just some of the things we are finding out.
The old village pond is under the Woodland Burial area of the cemetery and during excavations quantities of broken ceramics from Middlesbrough’s early potters were found, we believe this to have been used as a filling to reclaim the pond for further use of the land. Early Quaker burials going back to 1668 and the founders of Middlesbrough are here along with Jewish burials and a restored Hebrew Prayer House. Our studies and findings are continuing and we now stage an exhibition of interesting items relating to the cemetery and the area including a wonderful scale model of the original chapels that once stood in the central area of the site, very kindly made by Mr J. Patton of Linthorpe. Other items include original maps of the area and regular photography displays of local wildlife.