Further to our last update in January 2022, we write on further progress with the National Heritage Lottery Funded (HLF) project at West Norwood Cemetery.

Paths and drainage works
These works were eventually all completed in May 2022 after considerable delay:
St. Mary at Hill Path, Lower Road (part), main entrance to the Rose Garden, entrance path to Greek Cemetery, Narrow Road, and Crematorium Road (part): laying of new drains, kerbs and tarmac surface
Doulton Path: new gravel top layer
Beaton Path: reinforced grass surface. The works to these paths have made access much easier to many parts of the cemetery.
Reddins Hill: new granite steps with handrails

The main contractor idverde undertook the works to a high standard and the new paths have made access much easier and enjoyable throughout the Cemetery. 

We have asked for a number of out of date signs about highway diversions and undelivered project completion dates, both on the cemetery railings and temporary signage within the Cemetery, to be removed but four months later this still remains in place, causing confusion to visitors.

Monuments
Following on from the completion before Christmas 2021 of the restoration of two Listed Memorials currently on the Heritage At Risk Register: memorials of Auffray & O’Gorman and Baldwin Brown, Sally Strachey Historic Conservation Ltd were awarded the contract for works to St. Stephen’s Chapel (Greek Cemetery) and 14 further Monuments. Works at these monuments are underway:
Michael Emmanuel Rodachananchi and family (Greek Cemetery; south west gate)
Mrs Alice Moffat (square 60)
William Grane (square 34)
Elizabeth King (square 51)
John & Virginia Schilizzi (Greek Cemetery; west corner)
Captain John Wimble (Ship's Path; square 76)
with start dates on the remaining eight monuments unknown. All these works are due for completion by December 2022. A draft business plan for use of St. Stephens Chapel as an events venue is being produced.

Visitors Centre
A new visitor centre is to be created at the existing cemetery lodge. A sensitive, single-storey extension is to be provided, with courtyard space. We have met with Lambeth officers to express some concerns on some detailed design aspects. It took over four months to arrange this meeting, and some issues are still under discussion. It has now been confirmed that the venue will be marketed for wakes, weddings and other events taking place in the Cemetery. We look forward to seeing the draft business plan for the space, but remain concerned that the design does not provide the great possible volume of flexible and adaptable space, and has not taken account of the implications of the pandemic. A specialist tender is to be advertised for the construction works. The due completion date is December 2023.

New entrances: Hubbard Road and Robson Road
These works have been commenced but in abeyance since the autumn. The project to reinstate the historic Hubbard Road entrance using original piers and gates as designed by Sir William Tite has progressed. The new serpentine tarmac path was installed before Christmas, but the expected minor works outside the Cemetery wall have not been undertaken. Works to create a new pedestrian entrance at Robson Road have also started with the laying of the new tarmac path, but identified problems with existing ground levels, asbestos removal, and the highway works on Robson Road will only be progressed with the letting of the contract.

The due completion date for both entrances is December 2023.