Fairford Town Council announces new burial ground for town

1. Fairford Park Garden of Remembrance 

After many years of searching for a suitable space, Fairford Town Council is pleased to announce that a new burial ground for the town has finally been found and is now open.

Space for burials in St Mary’s Churchyard has long been a worrying concern, but now the town council has been able to purchase an area of land from The Ernest Cook Trust that is situated within sight of St Mary’s Church on Mill Lane at the end of the town car park.

However, geological constraints mean that only ashes interments can take place here and not full burials.

Being able to reflect on the loss of a loved one and the happy times you shared together is an important step in the grieving process. A garden of remembrance provides a quiet, contemplative space that allows friends and family to remember loved ones in a dedicated location.

Fairford Park garden of remembrance has been selected for its tranquil setting with views of the natural surroundings and close to St Mary’s Church.

Thanks to LR Engineering, who have designed, made and installed two beautiful wrap-around benches that circle the majestic trees in the new garden of remembrance and makes it a fitting place to sit and remember loved ones.

Fairford-based In2Groundworks have been engaged to create an entrance and a path into the garden of remembrance.

Fairford Town Council is now planning some additional planting to create an even more beautiful and peaceful setting as the seasons progress.

For more information about the new garden of remembrance, please contact Fairford Town Council: 01285 712344, clerks@fairfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

2. At the March Fairford Town Council meeting, Deji Akala was co-opted to fill one of the councillor vacancies. He was also elected to serve on the works and events committee that oversees necessary works and facilities in Fairford as well as community events. 

Deji, who is 63 years old, was born in Nigeria and lived for a while in Poland before coming to the UK in 2006. He has four children: one daughter and three sons. His daughter is a law student in the Netherlands, his eldest son is a medical doctor, the middle son is in the music industry and Deji’s youngest son goes to Fairford Primary School. 

Currently, working as a software engineer, Deji has worked on a couple of large-scale projects that have an impact on every household in the UK!

During a house-hunting visit to Fairford, Deji said the clouds turned into a glorious mix of blue, orange, red and purple!  He knew then that this was the place where he wanted to live. 

Deji said that becoming a councillor has offered him the chance “to fully belong and contribute to community life in this wonderful place we now call our home.” 

3. Why not indulge in an evening of fine wines, delectable bites and heart warming cheer with the Friends of Fairford and Lechlade Communities on Saturday, April 5 at 7.30pm in Fairford Community Centre? Cost is £25 per person. No one under 18 please. For more information, please contact Agneta: 01285 707300, admin@friendsoffirford.org.uk or visit www.friendsoffairford.org.uk

4. The Baby and Child First Aid is a two-hour class on Saturday, April 5 from 10.30am to 12.30pm in Fairford Community Centre. Babies are very welcome to come along, free car park nearby. Mini First Aid does not offer refunds. However, in some extenuating circumstances, it may be possible to transfer your booking to an alternative date, subject to availability one time only. Cost £25 per person. To book your place, please visit https://gloucestershire.minifirstaid.co.uk/classes/open/18590.

5. Fairford and District Choral Society’s next concert is on Saturday, April 5 at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Fairford. They will be performing the Choral Suite from The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins; Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez and Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Musical Director is Nia Llewlyn Jones and the soloist is Will Renouccie. The organ will be played by Bernard West, the keyboard by Debra Warner, guitar by Alan Shaw and percussion by Pam Smith. Tickets cost £15, with under 18s costing £5 and are on sale from Fairford Opticians.

6. Prayer and Praise is held on the first Sunday of the month between 6pm and 7pm. You are warmly invited to the next contemporary-style service at St Mary’s Church on Sunday, April 6. Everyone is welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite family, friends and neighbours to church, especially those who have never been to church, those who haven’t been for years, or those who have never found a church that feels ‘just right’ for them.  Looking forward to seeing more new faces at the next service. For more information please contact:carolinesymcox@googlemail.com or pa.wilkins@hotmail.co.uk.

7. The next meeting of Fairford Town Council is on Tuesday, April 8 at 7pm in Fairford Community Centre. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Agendas are posted on the website three working days before the meeting: https://fairfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/. For information, please contact the town clerks at 01285 712344, 01285 713326, clerks@fairfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.

8. The Palmer Hall AGM is to be held on Thursday, April 10 at 7pm in the Palmer Hall, Fairford, GL7 4AQ. All those involved or interested in supporting the hall are invited to the AGM. The formal business should last no more than half an hour. Members will be allowed to attend, speak and vote at the meeting. Members of the public are also invited to join the AGM, but they will not be able to participate in any vote. If you would like to join the Palmer Hall Committee and be considered for election, please contact Tracy Hatton: palmerhallsecretary@outlook.com.

9. The Palmer Hall Cinema is on the second Wednesday of each month and the next film is Mufasa, the Lion King which will be shown on Wednesday, April 9 in the Palmer Hall. The story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka – the heir to a royal bloodline. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Admission is £3.50 to include tea or coffee and biscuits. A glass of wine is £3. For more information about the Palmer Hall, please visit www.thepalmerhall.org.