Until Sunday, June 8, 2025
Illuminate is the name for the programme of celebratory events as the precious and magnificent West Norwood Cemetery is lit up to mark the end of the six year National Lottery Heritage Fund project.
As well as telling you all about the new Visitor Centre and all the new ways you can uncover the stories our cemetery holds, follow the links below to find out what is happening day by day over these ten days, including an extra special opportunity to see the Museum of the Moon.
Saturday 31 May: 11am - 12noon: Grand Opening 'Brass and Forget-me-nots'- Everyone welcome to celebrate.
Brass with the Crystal Palace Band marching to the entrance as the gates are symbolically reopened to mark their New Beginning, as the cemetery welcomes in the community
Forget-me-nots as you will be invited to scatter their seeds in a symbolic gesture of remembrance, care and connection - and a lovely way to close the project.
The Mayor of Lambeth will preside over the proceedings.
Then move on through the cemetery to discover the Effra Fleet that so many in the community contributed to at our Open Days. The Fleet will be sailing right through our brand new Visitor Centre. Come and find the figure you made floating along.
Friday 30 May to Sunday 8 June: Illuminate - A New Beginning, ten days full of events and activities, including:
Fri 30 May, Sat 31 May, Sun 1 June then Fri 6, Sat 7, Sun 8 June - viewing times differ: Museum of the Moon
Saturday 30 May - Sunday 8 June: Gathering the Commons, a group artists exhibition and event and activities programme in St Stephen's Chapel
Saturday 30 May - Sunday 8 June: Curious Lore, a group artists exhibition in the new Visitor Centre
Individual events
All are FREE except the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery which asks for a £10 donation:
Friday 30 May, 12.00noon-1pm Getting Out There: Stroll and a Cuppa run by L'Arche - for people of all ages, with and without learning disabilities, leaves from L'Arche just turn up
Sunday 1 June, 2.30pm-4pm FoWNC Introductory monthly tour - pre-book
Sunday 1 June, 3.30pm-4.10pm Persephone, a unique story walk for adults and young people over 7yrs - pre-book
Monday 2 June, 6pm-9pm Late night viewing of group artists exhibitions in the Visitor Centre and St Stephen's Chapel - just turn up
Tuesday 3 June, 9.30pm-11pm Night time guided tour of the cemetery, pre-book
Wednesday 4 June, 12.30pm-1.30pm Lunchtime wellbeing walk, with added history, register on arrival
Thursday 5 June, 6.30pm-8pm An Effra River Walk through Norwood, pre-book
Friday 6 June, 12.00noon-1pm Getting Out There: Stroll and a Cuppa run by L'Arche - for people of all ages, with and without learning disabilities, leaves from L'Arche just turn up
Friday 6 June, 7.30pm-9pm The Nettle Dress, film screening with Q&A, pre-book
Saturday 7 June, 10.30am-11.30am A Talk by Nikos Akritidis, Ruderal London, pre-book
Saturday 7 June, 11.30am-1pm, Foraging for Colour with Marissa Stoffer, pre-book
Saturday 7 June, 2.30pm-4pm, Workshop: Transmuting the Oak with Lucy Mayes, pre-book
Saturday 7 June, 5pm-5.30pm, Immersive Sound and Voice Performance by Original Copy (Meandros), pre-book
Sunday 8 June, 11am-12.30, Workshop: Screen printing with natural dyes by Zoe Hodgson, pre-book
Sunday 8 June, 1.30pm-3pm Walk: Exploring the Underland with Sara Trillo, pre-book
Sunday 8 June, 3pm-5pm, Simple basketry and cordage workshop with John Page, pre-book
More to be added ...
The Moon is the theme
From the beginning of human history, the moon has acted as a ‘cultural mirror’ to our beliefs, understanding and ways of seeing. Over the centuries, this celestial body has been interpreted as a god and a planet, as well as a timekeeper and calendar.
Different cultures have their own historical, cultural and religious relationships to the moon. With its ever-changing phases, is it a powerful symbol, representing different aspects of life, death, and rebirth and in many mythologies, the moon’s influence extends into the realm of the underworld, a concept that embodies the mysteries surrounding death and the afterlife.
When: The overall launch events last ten days from Friday 30 May to Sunday 8 June
Where: West Norwood Cemetery, next door to West Norwood Library & Picturehouse, Norwood High Street, SE27 9JU
More information: www.westnorwoodcemetery.org
