Graveyard Geology

Come to the Cemetery Park and learn more about the rocks and stones you might find as you explore your local burial ground!

The workshop will open with an introduction to the types of rocks you might find used as building stones, particularly in graveyards, but also around town. Certain rock types are very characteristic of older graves in the magnificent Victorian cemeteries in London, including Tower Hamlets, but over the last fifty years a huge variety of stones have been imported from all over the world.

After the talk, there will be an opportunity to handle some of the stones at close quarters, followed by a short walk into the Cemetery Park to see how they are used for monuments and perhaps find out more about the stories some of these stones might tell. Which one would you choose?

This workshop will be led by Dave Cook and Wendy Kirk as well as Claire Slack, Heritage Officer for the Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Dave and Wendy are members of the Geologists' Association. Dave spent his working life as a pharmaceutical chemist, while Wendy spent forty years in the Department of Earth Sciences at UCL. Wendy is also on the committee for Rockwatch, the junior club of the Geologists' Association.

ON THE DAY

1) Please arrive on time and go to the meeting area: the Soanes Centre (on the right as you enter via our main gates on Southern Grove E3).

2) If you have any issues on the day, your contact is Claire. On the day please contact them on 07580316403 if you have any issues.

Access statement

• This is an accessible, inclusive graveyard geology event. The maximum number of participants is 15. This event is suitable for ages 12+ but all under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

• We will cover a distance of less than 1km. The main paths are approx 1-2m wide and their surface is crushed concrete fines, a type of hard-packed fine gravel (which doesn't turn to mud in rain) or earth. We may move into more uneven areas but these can be avoided if necessary. A circular route around edge of the Cemetery Park is approx 1km with one steeper slope and some shallow slopes. There are 2 areas with steps, but these are avoidable. There are benches with backs at regular distances around the Cemetery Park. Some of the site is shaded.

• If arranged in advance a motorised vehicle could also drive onto the site depending on availability. If required this must be booked by emailing contact@fothcp.org. Bicycles and motorbikes are welcome on site with no booking but you must bring your own bike locks. There is on-street parking available but this is only free at weekends or after 5.30pm on weekdays.

• Please contact us if you have any specific access needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

• Toilets will be available in the Soanes Centre. There is a toilet that was deemed accessible when it was refurbished in 2007, but it is not accessible in line with today's standards. It is approx 2x2 m2 and there is a fixed support bar on the left of the toilet, with a movable bar on the right. There is no adult changing table or hoist.

• We are not able to offer baby-changing facilities but we can provide a private space for changing and breastfeeding on request.

• If you require prayer space during this event please let us know and we’ll do our best to provide a quiet, private space for you.

• We aim to make our events as accessible as possible, and are learning constantly how to do this better. If you would like to let us know about any specific requirements or access needs that you would like us to meet, or offer feedback on our accessibility arrangements, please email contact@fothcp.org.

Refund policy: If you tell us that you want to cancel your ticket, we will only give you a refund for payment or donation if you request one, and if you give a minimum of 48 hours notice before the start of the event.

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