Signposts to point way at Darwen Cemetery (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Signposts to point way at Darwen Cemetery

11:59am Friday 19th October 2012 in News By Dan Clough, Reporter

THE Friends of Darwen Cemetery are in talks with the borough council over getting signs installed giving directions to visitors.

Group chairman John East said they had noticed a surge in visitor numbers in recent months.

But he said some visitors struggled to locate the graves they were looking for.

The group is also considering having signs put up within the cemetery directing visitors to the 90 war graves.

And Mr East said they had been in discussions with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission who had special signs complete with logos that could be erected by the cemetery gates.

Mr East said: “We have been talking to the council about signs and there have been positive vibrations.

“We do have issues with people not being able to find Darwen Cemetery, or having trouble working out whether the grave is in the eastern or western section.”

Mr East said an interest in local history seemed to have sparked an increase in visitor numbers.

He said: “There has been a definite increase in the number of visitors.

“A lot more people are interested in local history at the minute.

“There are also a lot of people tending to graves, or people who have adopted a grave.

“People are using it more as an amenity, and there is no point having an amenity if it isn’t signposted.”

Mr East said the increase in visitors was pleasing to see. He said: “It is certainly very encouraging considering all the work we have put in. It also spurs us on to keep going with our projects.

“We have many plans for the future.”

Dave Owen, founder of local history and heritage group Darwen Days, said: “It is great to hear about all these people flocking to the cemetery.

“Since we started, we have been amazed at how much Darwen’s history captures the imagination of people in the town.”

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