With most of the local church graveyards now full, residents have an alternative option.
Local businessman Mark Simpkin and his actress wife Tricia Penrose have officially opened their private burial ground within the Adlington Hall Estate.
“We bought a redundant church in Bollington about 5 years ago and during the planning process to convert it into apartments, it became very apparent that there was a major lack of burial and ash interment space in our area. With many of our local graveyards full we wanted to create a beautiful alternative environment – so people now have a choice” says Mark.
Trish adds “As a child, I found traditional Victorian graveyards to be scary and unpleasant, we wanted ours to feel like a natural open park, a place to sit, walk and reflect. I’m really pleased that we’ve managed to achieve this”
The memorial park is a Natural Burial ground. Clients can choose to be buried in normal wooden or wicker coffins although everything must biodegradable [no metal or varnish]. Both the burial and ash interment plots will have a memorial plaque made from locally sourced stone. The tree for life scheme allows you to purchase and plant a tree around the boundary of the park.
Funeral Director Jeremy Unsworth said “I have visited the park, it’s wonderful. 26 acres of wild flower meadow where family can bury or scatter loved ones ashes, or choose a single or family burial plot. We’ve been very restricted on the options we’ve been able to offer up to now as often families want to be laid to rest next to each other. We now have this option and it’s super that Mark and Tricia have recognised the requirement and invested the time and money to create the park – well done”.
With the cost of funerals rising so rapidly in the UK, many are choosing to pre purchase funeral plans and plots. “The response we have had to date has been excellent, we have a list of over 200 people interested in pre-purchasing plots. I thought we would get interest from local people in Poynton, Prestbury, Wilmslow etc but I had no idea that we would be getting so much interest from outside the area. I would like to thank all those who have supported the scheme. Trish and I have already chosen our plots, let’s hope we don’t need them any time soon!”
Adlington Memorial Park is located at the junction of London Road and Mill Lane [opposite the Legh Arms pub]. The office address is Unit F1, Adelphi Mill, Bollington, Cheshire SK10 5JB – all enquiries must be via the office. For more details please contact Debbie Heywood on 01625 578496 or Debbie@adlingtonmemorialpark.co.uk – viewings at the site are by appointment only.
