I live in Peckham Rye and have lived in Honor Oak, Nunhead & Brockley so can see both points of view in this argument. I used the Rec as a child and my son played there too but have also got relatives buried in Camberwell New Cemetery. The problem with the supporters of HOP Rec is that most of them are Lewisham residents. It is the Southwark residents who pay Council Tax to enable Lewisham residents to use HOP Rec. The petition they have going on all over the area is incorrect and in places downright dishonest when it states that Southwark wants to use the space as a cemetery. The Council have said again and again that using the Rec is their least preferred option but it has to be an option. I can't help but feel it's inevitable, if not now, then in the future. One of the groups complaining most are Hillyfielders football team. Hilly Fields is a park in Lewisham, so why the hooha over a Southwark space that isn't in their Borough? I agree that it's sad to take away a green space but we clearly have a problem about lack of burial space all over the country and in our cities in particular. And yes I also agree that we also have a lack of green spaces for kids! In the 1970's Councils across the country presumed that more and more people would be cremated and in fact the figure has stuck at about 70% ever since. This means that people need to be buried somewhere. If the Council re-use older graves it will be expensive and legally difficult, if it buys new cemeteries out of the area it will cost more and be inconvenient for families travelling to funerals. If Southwark residents have to go to Lewisham for burial then Lewisham quadruple their fees from ?2322 up to ?9288 or more. Will Friends of HOP Rec pay my family the difference if I die and can't be buried in the Borough I live in? Camberwell New Cemetery is now closed for new burial so single plots on top of existing public graves in Camberwell Old Cemetery are all that are available for residents. This means that couples will not be able to be buried with their partner in double depth graves. The Rec was purchased as burial ground in 1901 and so far about half has been used for burials. At the time of the first burials Southwark could have used all of the land and had one large cemetery but decided to use it bit by bit as the need arose. Well the need has arisen for more of the land to be used. Southwark has clear financial responsibilities to Council Tax payers and one of these is to reduce the costs associated with this problem and sadly the cheapest option for residents is to use the Rec.
