Honouring the Past: Friends’ Work Featured in MyLondon

We were thrilled to see MyLondon shining a light on the incredible work of our volunteers who help care for Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries — two beautiful Victorian burial grounds that have been part of South East London’s story since 1858.

The piece features our very own Mick Martin and Phill Barnes-Warden, who meet at the cemeteries every Tuesday to uncover the lives and stories of those buried here. As Phill says, “We’re bringing them back to life.” Between them, they’ve traced hundreds of people — from soldiers and artists to detectives and local campaigners — piecing together fascinating details of their lives and sharing them with families near and far.

Mick, our Great War Coordinator for nearly two decades, brings history vividly to life for visitors on tours and talks. Phill’s passion for ancestry research has helped reconnect dozens of families — some as far away as Canada and Australia — with relatives they never knew they had. His work even led to a wonderful discovery of his own: his great-great-grandfather rests right here in one of the cemeteries.

The Friends group began back in July 2007, and has since grown to around 300 volunteers. From historical research and wildlife care to leading walks and keeping the cemeteries looking their best, our members all share one thing — a love for these remarkable green spaces and the stories they hold.

As Mick puts it beautifully, “It’s a privilege to work for the dead.”

You can read the full MyLondon article here
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If you’d like to learn more about what we do or get involved yourself, explore the rest of our site or come along to one of our guided walks — we’d love to see you there.