SOUTH METROPOLITAN (WEST NORWOOD) CEMETERY

ADVISORY GROUP

Date and Time: Wednesday 2nd July 2003, 7:00pm Venue: Nettlefold Lower Hall, Norwood High Street, SE27.

Present: Jill Dudman (Archbishops Representative), Rev Luke Wickings (Archdeacons Rep), George Young (Friends of West Norwood Cemetery), Don Bianco (English Heritage), Councillor Robert McConnell (London Borough of Lambeth) and Dr B Elliott (Victorian Society) (Vice Chair)

Also Robert Holden (Grave Owner), Robert Mackay (Scheme of Present: Management Committee), Ken Dry (Cemeteries and Crematoria Manager), Dick Tooze (Scheme of Management Committee), Jill O’Meara (Special Projects Officer, Lambeth Council). Mathew Toy (Atkins Water) and Richard Buck (Democratic Services Officer, London Borough of Lambeth)

Apologies: Dr Robert Flanagan (Chair), Tony Farrow (Users of the Cemetery Rep), Nicholas Long (Scheme of Management Committee), Councillor Myerson, Councillor Kimm and Mike Dickens (Acting Head of Legal Services)

Action to be taken 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Introductions were made. In the absence of the Chair, Dr Elliot chaired the meeting and welcomed those present to the meeting.

The Group AGREED to vary the order of business,

NB: These minutes reflect the order of business at the meeting.

2. Minutes of the Advisory Group (02.04.03)

The minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Group of the 02.04.03 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

3. MATTERS ARISING

Signage - Don Bianco noted that in relation to signing, English Heritage might have comments on the proposed design. Concern had been expressed in respect of the

West Norwood Cemetery Advisory Group – Minutes– 02.07.03 1 proposed colour scheme. Mr Bianco confirmed he sat of the Group as a representative of English Heritage although English Heritage did not wish to formally comment on the proposed signage.

Greek Orthodox Graves – To date, there had been no update in respect of police investigations and the damaged crosses have been moved into the chapel. Mr Bianco confirmed that a complete condition assessment of the damaged graves would be completed by the end of the week.

4. CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME - PROGRESS UPDATE • Drainage - (presentation by Mr Matthew Toy of Atkins Water)

Mr Toy advised that Atkins Water had been examining the general drainage situation at the Cemetery. A background investigation and topographical study had been undertaken. CCTV had also been used to investigate leakage from certain drains.

Then current drainage route had been determined by the route of the River Effra when the site was constructed. The Effra had been rerouted via a culvert which may have been too undersized. The re-routed river now formed a public sewer and the end of the culvert has become partially blocked. There were indications that the early drainage system allowed for a series of openings to allow the free flow of water. Further drainage was constructed for discharging excess water into the sewer. On examination, the sewer is in relatively good condition but is heavily silted and cleaning would allow a greater outflow into the lower Bazelgette sewer. A number of smaller drainage systems were located at the north of the site and had outflows into the Effra River.

On inspection, there were a number of drainage problems in the western and central part of the Cemetery, but the primary issue of concern was the eastern part of the site. The eastern wall had been replaced approximately a century ago and since then, drainage issues have caused slippage of the eastern embankment and the ditch has been backfilled obstructing a number of weep holes that were intended to allow water dispersal. More widely, there were a series of underground chambers that in some cases do not interconnect. On some maps, they are marked as wells.

On examination, the drainage is heavily silted and this has a detrimental effect of the flow of excess water. The size of existing road drains was considered to be at the lower end of acceptable for this site, but the silting exacerbated flooding

West Norwood Cemetery Advisory Group – Minutes– 02.07.03 2 issues. The drainage problems were particularly acute at the eastern part of the site due to the fall in land, which causes water to flow towards the eastern wall which then cannot escape. The clear weep holes are small and so do not effectively discharge the water, which puts increasing pressure on the wall. This was also causing movement of the embankment.

The concrete ditch had been constructed in the late 19th or early 20th century in an attempt to alleviate drainage problems. Atkins Water had identified a number of options to resolve drainage issues at the cemetery. These were;

• Repair of broken drainpipes; • High pressure jet cleaning of blocked drain pipes; • To re-instate previous drainage networks, containing collector drainpipes from low points amongst the graves in order to re-establish natural overland drainage paths; • Kerb removal in specific locations to allow the free flow of drainage overland onto roads; • An increase in the number and extent of access road drain gullies; • Increasing the extent of drains beneath existing access roads.

A localised drainage system would take water from certain locations, particularly to the north and deposit in the Effra sewer. This option was the most cost effective, although there would be a difficulty in installing a pipe along the route of the failed concrete pipe. There was also the possibility of installing under the road, however the road went against the contour of the land which was a problem for a gravity based drainage system. A drainage system running through the low points of the site with a pipe overlaid with gravel at a shallow level could alleviate the drainage issues at the east of the cemetery. The pipe would need to be approximately 150mm in diameter and fin drains could be installed between graves. It would be necessary to undertake a ground radar study of this area to locate graves and establish whether this option was feasible.

A drain at approximately 1 metre depth at most could follow the gradient of the land with a drop consistent with the lie of the land and would connect with the drainage system at the north of the site.

The following points and issues of concern were raised by those present;

• Where is the silt transported to once it has been removed

West Norwood Cemetery Advisory Group – Minutes– 02.07.03 3 from the site? • Would the Council be able to undertake silt clearance on a regular basis? • A possible option would be to replace drains at the same time as maintenance and resurfacing work was carried out on the roads; • Newly dug graves have, in the past rapidly filled up with water. A point at the Dalton Path often gets boggy and waterlogged; • Why don’t the catacombs flood? Had there been any assessment of the underlying soil? • It would be sensible to assess the measures taken at other cemeteries that have experienced similar flooding issues; • Dr Elliot noted that the identification of graves with no monument was a great problem and the cost of a geo- tech survey could be significant. He considered an overlay map with the plans could achieve a reasonably accurate survey for the purposes of drainage work. However, Ordnance Survey Maps did not always tie in with actual ground features;

In response, Mr Toy and officers present advised;

• Drainage issues in the west of the site could be resolved by high pressure cleaning to break down the silt. Investigations had established that the silt was highly compacted. The silt would be transported by tanker to a tip site for disposal; • The Council could undertake regular silt maintenance subject to funds. A particular issue was the significant migration and movement of silt across the site; • Drainage replacement could be arranged to coincide with roadway maintenance. However, this was a relatively expensive option and has not been fully investigated; • In respect of excavated graves, the level of water logging was not surprising given that water will follow the path of least resistance. There was a significant amount of water that is naturally retained in the ground. Only approximately 10 – 30% of the total water volume runs off the surface; • The catacombs have tended not to flood due to their topographical location. In relation to soil assessment, a low intrusion investigation had been undertaken which demonstrated that the soil was of a consistent nature where it had not been disturbed due to construction; • Atkins Water has done similar work at other cemeteries. However, flooding issues were often unique to a particular location. Any solution would clearly need take account of

West Norwood Cemetery Advisory Group – Minutes– 02.07.03 4 the sensitivity of the site. Dr Elliot noted that neither Kensal Green Cemetery nor Nun Head Cemetery had been the subject of the thorough investigation undertaken at West Norwood. Recent common graves were often very shallow; • The most urgent issue at the Cemetery was the movement of the eastern section of the site, which had insufficient and ineffective drainage. This was a dynamic situation, which would progressively worsen unless action was taken. The cleaning and subsequent monitoring of drainage in other parts of the site was relatively straightforward. It was not coincidence that the eastern part of the site was both the lowest lying and most prone to flooding and it would be difficult to estimate how rapidly the bank will subside in the future. The issue of drainage had been noted when work was undertaken in the early part of the last century. It would be sensible to commission a geo-tech survey of the site to identify any underlying problems; • The cost of clearing the drains in the west of the Cemetery would be approximately £25,000. The repair in the centre with drainage work at the east of the site would cost £175,000, inclusive of a ground penetrating radar survey. There is no cost estimate for a through geo-tech survey, however such surveys can cost up to £1,500 per day. Such a survey would include the identification of graves and can check for remains and their depth to avoid disturbance. It would be sensible for a survey to focus on the narrow strip in the area of the drainage work; • Permission from the Home Office was usually sought in these circumstances. Past experience suggested it was inclined to allow such work from a conservation perspective;

It was noted that the process would follow 2 stages; Stage One would consist of small scale works in the west and centre of the cemetery and Stage Two would involve the more significant work required in the east of the cemetery with the possibility of a geo-tech survey.

Dr Elliot thanked Mr Toy for his attendance at the meeting. Officers confirmed that some of the £640,000 capital monies would finance the strategy for the Cemetery in the future. Drain works would not commence this year, although the smaller works on drains in the west and centre of the site could begin within 12 months. The possibility of a National Lottery Heritage funding bid could be investigated.

The Council considered it would be better to have a detailed design strategy in place prior to going out to tender to ensure

West Norwood Cemetery Advisory Group – Minutes– 02.07.03 5 undue risk is taken out of the contract process. A report on this issue will go to the Scheme of Management Committee for consideration as it has control of financial spending. It would be most cost effective to carry out the drain and road repair simultaneously.

RESOLVED: That the Group recommend to the S.O.M Committee that the necessary works to drainage at the Cemetery be undertaken and the necessary surveys pursued.

• Catacombs Restoration Study

The Friends of West Norwood Cemetery have been denied access to the Catacombs by management due to concerns about the structural stability and health and safety concerns. A survey would be necessary to establish whether any structural damage had been sustained during the recent demolition of a nearby building.

RESOLVED: That the Chair put it to the S.O.M Committee that works be undertaken as soon as possible in order that public access can be resumed.

• Signage Manufacture and Installation

A draft signage guide was complete which needed the approval of English Heritage and the S.O.M Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Group recommend to the S.O.M Committee that once the style guide is approved, that signs are manufactured and installed at the Cemetery.

• Memorial Works

A list of memorials approved for repair was tabled. The list would be forwarded to the Chairs of the S.O.M Committee, the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery and to English Heritage for approval. Subject to approval, the Council would instruct the contractor to undertake works.

Mr Bianco noted that he had written to officers enquiring why work on certain memorials had not been done and no response had been received. He would forward his letter to officers again.

RESOLVED: The Group recommend to the S.O.M Committee that those memorials that have been repaired and are currently unmarked have a small plaque affixed to the grave with the name date of death, and grave number for the

West Norwood Cemetery Advisory Group – Minutes– 02.07.03 6 purposes of identification.

• Memorial Archiving

The Council does not currently have a system for cataloguing memorials, assessing them for WHS risk and programming essential maintenance works. De Elliot estimated it would cost approximately £15,000 for the relevant software and £15,000 to hire a person to do the job on an annual basis.

Officers confirmed that from a risk assessment perspective, there would need to be a record of actions taken in respect of specific memorials and monuments. The system would constitute both an archive and a record of works undertaken. It was essential to employ someone with the ability to both record and assess the condition of memorials. A by-product of this project would be the establishment of a useful historic tool for the future. Dr Elliot considered a meeting would be advisable to establish exactly what was required. It was suggested that the City of London Cemetery’s approach to archiving be examined as a potential model. However, Dr Elliot noted that West Norwood had particular circumstances notably that it had more listed monuments that the City of London Cemetery.

• Vegetation Management

The recommendation from the Integrated Land Management Strategy was that the Cemetery needs routine vegetation maintenance. Therefore a controlled program was required to allow for the maintenance of listed structures, but allowing for the protection and improvement of the site as a natural environment.

• Heritage Lottery Bid

The funding from Lambeth Council will cease at the end of the current financial year and there was no guarantee that further funding will be available on this scale. Officers could not confirm whether the consistory court judgement required the Council to continue funding the management structure.

• Management Strategy

Under the consistory court judgement, the Council was required to put together a comprehensive management strategy for the site and it was essential that a consistent and long-term approach be maintained in respect of management.

West Norwood Cemetery Advisory Group – Minutes– 02.07.03 7 RESOLVED: That the Group recommend to the S.O.M Committee that a management strategy be developed for West Norwood Cemetery.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was noted that at the last meeting, it was suggested that grave owners have the right to be represented on the Advisory Group. It was regrettable that no one from the Town Centre Office was in attendance at the meeting and it was considered advisable that a representative attended future meetings. Councillor McConnell noted that the office was understaffed at the moment particularly in light of the extra work required for the newly established Area Committee.

Dr Elliot noted that conservation officers have confirmed there will be a review of the conservation area around the Cemetery. While there were proposals to extend it to include areas at the front of the Cemetery it was noted that the Cemetery itself would not be directly affected.

The issue of the restoration of the Alexander Parks Memorial was raised. An enquiry had been received asking for the Group’s help in the design of the restored memorial. While a record of the original inscription was available, there was no photographic evidence of the original. Officers advised that the architect would assess the plans and officers would evaluate against the regulations. In light of the individual commemorated it was suggested that a plastic element to the memorial might be appropriate. Dr Elliot suggested that the proposed restoration be publicised in the Friends of Norwood Cemetery information material.

7. Close of Meeting

The meeting ended at 9:07pm.

Date of Despatch: 23.07.03

Contact for Enquiries: Richard Buck Tel: (020) 7926 2185 Fax: (020) 7926 2755; E-mail: [email protected]

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