Witney Town Council completes cemetery improvement works

Witney Town Council has completed several projects to improve the town’s cemeteries, including a new children’s memorial garden and upgraded facilities for ashes and memorial plaques.

The children’s memorial garden at Windrush Cemetery provides “a simple and dedicated space for quiet reflection and remembrance of younger family members who have passed”, the council said. 

Its tree-shaded area also complements the existing Letters to Heaven post box and features a Pebble Pond, where families can purchase an engraved pebble with a name and date as a tribute.

Elsewhere in the cemetery, a new oak monolith has been installed to display engraved memorial plaques, replacing a deteriorating tree that previously served the purpose. The monolith, located within a small grove of trees, has been designed to allow easy removal and replacement of plaques when needed.

At Tower Hill Cemetery, a newly planted ashes scattering bed is nearing completion. Located in Section 2 near the back wall and adjacent to the footpath leading to the Smiths Estate, the bed has been planted in sections to create a natural, serene environment for remembrance.

Rachel Crouch, chair of halls, cemeteries and allotments at Witney Town Council, said: “These are beautiful peaceful areas that have been enhanced in a respectful way to support families who are grieving. The town council has managed this in a sensitive and appropriate way.”