Petition to Save Southwark Woods

[henryb]

All bat species are protected.

https://www.gov.uk/bats-protection-surveys-and-licences

[geneie]

"when the cemeteries themselves were set up they where right on the edge of the city"

The big cemeteries were set up on the edge of the city only when all the church graveyards were full and overflowing - burials were very much local, and of course still are in more rural areas.

The place is a cemetery, this space was always meant for burials, not a nature reserve. Surely I'm not the only local who has family buried here from way back?

[kiera]

Geneie - Maybe you are not familiar with Southwark?s plans for re-using the cemeteries. Both cemeteries are full, so the council are now reusing them - the burials now and in future will be on top of former graves. Now that the cemeteries are full, many local people feel that the dead already buried should be respected. The Save Southwark Woods campaign is saying that the council has not consulted residents on reusing the cemeteries for new burials in this way and that they should do so, before carrying on clearing areas for rows of soulless new headstones. The council are currently reusing public graves, but have a 40 year plan, so will be moving on to private graves. People who have family buried there "from way back" may need to check that they still have current leases for their family members' graves - the ownership reverts to the council once the lease has expired.

[Penguin68]

Whilst we still worship the dead and fetishize the paraphernalia of body disposal then cemeteries will continue to be needed as body dumps rather than nature reserves. With a shortage of suitable 'free' land reasonably close to the living (and whilst these still think they need to visit the dead) then the plans for the cemeteries (pile them in, stack them high) are a necessary evil. Persuade people to dispose of the dead with the garden and kitchen waste, and not require a particular place to remember them in, and you can have your nature reserve. But until then...

[kiera]

John K - If you wish to know the species of bats which were identified on the bat walk in Camberwell Old Cemetery, they were common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and, at 25kHz, either a noctule or leisler bat. Does that answer your question?

[kiera]

John K - If you wish to know the species of bats which were identified on the bat walk in Camberwell Old Cemetery, they were common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and, at 25kHz, either a noctule or leisler bat.

[henryb]

Reminder the walk is today (Sunday) meeting the gates at 10:30 am not Saturday at 11 as reported by Southwark News.

http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/walk

[henryb]

Great turn out on Sunday - around 300. Thanks to everyone for coming.

http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/100-acre-wood-walk/4588513561

[MrsR]

We made the front page of todays South London Press!

[first mate]

Only just realised that the proposed burial plots would be up for sale to anyone anywhere. So again, a revenue garnering exercise and another example of major change with minimum consultation.

[henryb]

Yes first mate that is a good point. It is not clear what Southwark's expected revenue and profit from the plans for the two cemeteries are but they have said publicly they use the money to subsidise other services. If they are making money from grieving families and the burial service - then I think public should know about it, how much it is and where the money is going.

Another issue is the Area Z was traditionally used for common/public burials - the new plans seem to suggest the area will be used for private burials - effectively meaning the area will be sold off to private hands plot by plot.

[henryb]

The petition has over 4000 signatures!

As this over the 1500 threshold Save Southwark Woods can present it's case to the council assembly or cabinet. More details to follow.

A big thanks to everyone for the support.

[Chocky]

Southwark council still wants to destroy beautiful wild woodlands at Camberwell Old and New Cemeteries, felling dozens of trees, clearing woodland and undergrowth, and excavating acres of old graves, to make way for 4,500+ new burial plots in a sanitised and sterile landscape.

The campaign to Save Southwark Woods was formed in January 2015 to petition Southwark to create 100 acres of protected wildness with respect for the dead, their resting place and memorials and woodland for the living.

Save Southwark Woods are against cutting down trees or clearing undergrowth other than for reasons of health and safety or for the enhancement of wild life. This is to achieve in our lifetimes a beautiful 100 Acre wood in the inner city and a memorial to the dead of Southwark.

They have until July 8th to gather signatures, when they will be presenting the petition and their case to the full Council Assembly. Over 5,000 have already signed online and on paper - they want to make it 10,000 by July.

Can you sign, and help Save Southwark Woods - for nature, for people and for the future?

Sign the 38 Degrees petition here ...?https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/search?q=save+southwark+woods

Web: [email protected]

Twitter:? @southwarkwoods?

Facebook? page:? Save? Southwark? Woods?www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk?

[Dano]

That last link didn't work for me, try this:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/search?q=save+southwark+woods

[Chocky]

Thanks Dano, I've corrected my post.

Save Southwark Woods will have a stall at Nunhead Cemetary Open Day this Saturday 16 May 11-5.

I'm sure they'll have paper petitions there for the kids to sign. Woods for the living!

[nununoolio]

Paper petition? The poor trees

[henryb]

There are now 7,500 signatures on paper and online. Thanks so much for everyone's support. We are hoping to get 10,000 before the presenting to the Council Assembly, sSo please share, tell friends, neighbours if you have already signed.

James Barber put the case very well on his blog.

http://jamesbarber.mycouncillor.org.uk/2015/06/04/save-southwark-woods/

http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/

[edhistory]

henryb Wrote:

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> http://www.savesouthwarkwoods.org.uk/

Interesting demographic displayed.