Volunteers have unveiled ambitious plans to transform a north-east cemetery.
Friends of Turriff Cemetery group has drawn up designs for what it hopes can become a place for families who have suffered a bereavement to reflect on their loved one’s life.
It has been inspired by the late Press and Journal farming editor Joe Watson, who wanted to bring the grounds up to scratch.
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Now headed by Joe’s brother Fraser, the group only formed in November last year and this latest project is part of its wider vision to transform the town’s graveyard into a place that is welcoming for everyone.
It took on general maintenance duties last year and today, working alongside Aberdeenshire Council, ensures the site is kept in a respectable condition.
And last night, Fraser Watson said plans were in place to knock through a wall at the cemetery and create a separate area where families could come to be with their thoughts.
The group has now launched a public survey to gather local opinion on the scheme before forging ahead.
He said: “We get a lot of people who visit Turriff Cemetery who are themselves outwith the town, some even travel quite far distances.
“And some of them have said in the past that they’d like an area to just sit and have a quiet reflection on a nice day, especially if they’ve travelled, even if it’s just to have somewhere where you can sit to have something to eat.
“We can’t do that within the cemetery itself, obviously, so the idea is to create a new space in an old area of ground. We’ll just have to knock through the wall.”
The land which the group hopes to convert was last used as a putting green.
As part of its transformation, a sensory garden could also be created with areas for families to rest memorial flowers and plans, and for the wider community to lay poppies for the war dead.
Earlier this year, through the Your Voice Your Choice scheme which allowed the public to vote on where council money should be spent, the plan won £3,000 towards its cost.
Mr Watson added: “We have to this public consultation in case any concerns come up.
“But the idea is to create a space for all – both disabled and able-bodied. We could even have groups come to the area, like schools, to learn about the different plants or bees, for example.
“We want it to be respectful and peaceful for the cemetery.
“The survey itself went live yesterday and will be up for two weeks. We don’t know the results yet, but we’ve been well supported by the community so far. And if everything goes well with this, we can start approaching local businesses for help to get building.”
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The new area of the cemetery has been designed by Insch firm Annie Kenyon Architects which has said the site will “create a welcoming space for contemplation, pause and reflection”.
The Friends of Turriff Cemetery has already completed a number of projects within the grounds of the burial site.
In the summer, it placed the first of six benches that were bought through donations within the cemetery.
At the time, the effort to bring the benches into the cemetery was supported by former First Minister Alex Salmond whose Mary Salmond Trust pledged £500.
And last night local councillor Alastair Forsyth backed the group’s latest venture.
He said: “I’m a supporter of what it is they’re already doing at the cemetery, and I would wish them all the very best in this endeavour.”
