Vision for the graveyard

A local amenity

The future of the graveyard has been in question for years with speculation that it would inevitably be re-developed for housing, and many thought that this outcome moved a step closer when it was sold at auction in December 2017. They were wrong.

There are no plans to re-develop the graveyard and a strategy is being implemented to regenerate it to allow safe access to the graves and remove an eye-sore from the community.The vision is to transform the graveyard into a land-mark where the local community and visitors alike can enjoy the tranquility of a urban meadow. The site will be enhanced by the introduction of appropriate local flora and fauna which will not only significantly improve bio-diversity but also provide an opportunity for ecological education.

Preserving local history

Coal mines, copper smelters, tin plate works, steel-mills and the port made Swansea what is it today, and most of our ancestors who lived in Swansea during the past 150 years worked in one or several of these industries. They grafted, raised families, watched their children die young, worked in conditions that today would be unthinkable, and died or were killed on the job. They have earned our respect many times over during many decades and we need to be prepared to respect their final resting place.

A source of family history information

We are currently preparing a detailed map of the graveyard to allow relatives to locate the graves of their ancestors. This is will take some time given the number graves, and unfortunately identifying some of the graves will not be possible due to their condition.

What to expect and what not to expect

Expect

An urban haven where local flora and fauna can thrive.
Safe and unobstructed access to all graves in the graveyard.
Control of non-native invasive plants.

Don't expect

Maintenance of graves or monuments.
Manicured lawns.

No development

There are over a thousand of our ancestors buried in the graveyard and as a result redevelopment of this land is not economically viable. Anyone thinking about developing the graveyard has three intractable problems

the costs will not allow a reasonable return, at least not for affordable housing.
planning consent is almost impossible - as the previous owner discovered.
...and most importantly, the current owners are neither interesting in re-developer or selling for development!

Sustainability

The question of sustainability is important - money can be spent and time invested to restore the graveyard, but this will count for nought unless the local community values the graveyard as an asset. So, if you are interested in seeing this important local landmark restored ask yourself what you are prepared to do to preserve the site as it goes through the restoration process...and beyond.

Japanese knotweed is widespread across South Wales and it is here to stay! In addition, Swansea has the dubious honour of being the knotweed capital of the UK.

Rather than chase the unrealistic target of eradication the approach will be focused on control. Improvements to the graveyard's appearance over the next few months will be short-lived as the knotweed will start growing in spring, and by the end of summer the graveyard will be overgrown...just like last year. Herbicide treatment will then begin with a combination of spraying and injection with a glyphosate-based herbicide - an ongoing programme of treatment and monitoring will ensure this persistent plant is managed over the long-term.

All knotweed control work will be carried out by the aptly named Knotweed Control Swansea Limited, who are one of South Wales' leading authorities on non-native invasive species and their control.

All work and herbicides application will follow relevant legislation and best practices in addition to being undertaken by appropriately-qualified and experienced professions. Prior to any work, full environmental and ecological assessments was completed. Treatment schedules will be published in advance on this website and notices posted at the graveyard whilst treatment is underway.

The herbicide safety warning states "People, pets and wildlife need not be kept out the treated areas. It is best not to walk in areas where the spray is still wet as transfer to other vegetation may lead to unwanted damage to other foliage. Once the spray is dry this cannot occur".

Vegetation at the site has been cleared and access to graves has significantly improved over the past two years. The best time of year to treat the most prevalent plant, Japanese knotweed, is late summer when it draws nutrients down into its underground rhizome system and by introducing herbicide at this time it is also drawn into the roots, thus weakening the plant.

If you visit the site bear in mind

the ground across much of the graveyard is uneven.
many of the graves are unstable.
some headstones are loose and could fall at any time.
there are many needles discarded by active drug users on the ground in certain areas.

There are no graves in the lower 20 metres of the graveyard so please keep away from the retaining wall along Carmarthen Road.