Children help welcome new 'forget-me-not' greenhouses in Hebburn Cemetery

The greenhouses offer the chance for people to come along and plant their own bulbs, which proved a delight for green-fingered pre-school pupils at Nurserytime in nearby Victoria Road West.

The little ones were taken along to the newly named Forget-Me-Not Garden in the cemetery. The name was chosen by a vote on the Friends of Hebburn Cemetery group’s Facebook page.

The group was set up in 2017 after vandals struck at the cemetery. They raised funds to install CCTV and meets once a month for clean ups.

In 2021 the group was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services, the UK’s the highest voluntary honour, by the Queen’s official representative the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear.

The volunteers worked hard to bring in the greenhouses, which are sponsored by South Tyneside Council. The tots from Nurserytime are delighted.

John Stewart, chairperson of Friends of Hebburn Cemetery, said: “The idea is to try to get the community involved. It’s their cemetery after all. It will get people back out into the fresh air.

“They can come along and plant flowers pretty much when they like. There’s soil, seeds and everything they need including toilet facilities and tea making facilities.

“The greenhouses have been supplied by South Tyneside Council. I think that’s really kind and we would like to thank them.”

Elena Wood, manager of Nurserytime, said: “The children have been planting in the greenhouses and it means that any time they’re passing they can go and see how their flowers are doing.

“It gives them something to work on instead of just seeing their flowers automatically.

“They absolutely loved it. It’s something they otherwise might not get to do. It’s one of their favourite things. They always ask to see John and they’re always really well behaved.”

There are volunteers at the garden Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 12.30pm. But it is possible to come along later by arrangement through the Friends of Hebburn Cemetery Facebook page.

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