War Graves at Layton Cemetery. Photo: Denys Barber

Layton Cemetery

The Victorian Layton Cemetery was opened in 1873 when Blackpool Parish Church had no more space for burials. It’s bounded by Talbot Road on one side and Mansfield Road on the other side. Above photo: War graves at Layton Cemetery, by Denys Barber.

Visiting the Cemetery

Layton is a big cemetery. With over 17,000 graves it covers just over 22 acres.

If you aren’t able to visit a grave on foot you can access the cemetery by car as long as you keep to the 10mph speed limit.

Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a lead and you clean up after them.

The cemetery offices are at the main gate, in which the Friends Group are based.

Near to the Talbot Road entrance you’ll see the Church of England Chapel. This is the last of three cemetery chapels and is Grade Two listed. Unfortunately it isn’t being used because it is in a poor condition.

As you stand and look into the cemetery at the main gate on Talbot Road, the Christian graves run through the centre. Catholic graves on the right and non-conformist graves are along the left hand side. Muslim graves on the far left and Jewish graves further along Westcliffe Drive.

Friends of Layton Cemetery

The Friends Group is a voluntary group. They run tours of the cemetery in summer and during Heritage Week in September.

They can also help you to find a particular grave.

Poppies for Remembrance

A stunning display of 439 knitted poppies was created by the Friends of Layton Cemetery Group to commemorate the servicemen and women buried and remembered at Layton Cemetery.

The poppies were laid out on a grass carpet as part of a remembrance service to honour the war dead.

Knitted poppies displayed at Layton Cemetery in 2016
Knitted poppies displayed at Layton Cemetery in 2016

Pupils from Layton Primary School helped the Layton Friends Group to lay wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice within Layton Cemetery.

Members of the local community, including residents, Layton Primary School, Co-Op Funeral Services, the friends group and representatives from Blackpool Council were in attendance and observed a two minute silence in memory of those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

A big thank you is also due to the Layton Cemetery team for all the hard work that has taken place to develop a sustainable maintenance programme. A once unmanageable area is now looked upon with immense pride.

Knitted poppies for Remembrance Day 2016 at Layton Cemetery
Knitted poppies for Remembrance Day 2016 at Layton Cemetery

Wildlife is Welcome in the Cemetery

Published August 2016

Dozens of handmade bird boxes were installed this summer, to bring wildlife back to a Blackpool green spot.

Volunteers at Layton Cemetery and their bird boxes
Volunteers at Layton Cemetery and their bird boxes

A group of community volunteers created 72 wooden bird boxes. They were installed onto trees across Layton Cemetery, as part of a second stage to make the area a more pleasant area to visit.

The volunteers are adults with learning disabilities. They built the boxes as part of their woodwork classes at Blackpool Centre for Independent Living on Whitegate Drive.

Cemetery staff fixed the boxes in the tree tops across the 22 acre cemetery on Talbot Road.

Bird boxes being installed by Nick Tipton at Layton Cemetery

Best it’s been for 40 years

The work is the second stage of partnership work which has seen Layton Cemetery become the ‘best it’s been for 40 years’. That’s according to Martin Mitchell, one local councillor.

The Layton ward councillor said that when describing the work that community volunteers, community payback and council officers had done to keep the area clean and tidy.

The groups cut the grass, trim the edges and litter pick. They’ve also helped to transform a decrepit old mortuary building into a break out kitchen area for the workers.

The next step in attracting wildlife was installing the bat boxes which were in construction.

Brew Room for Cemetery Volunteers

Volunteers at the cemetery transformed a decrepit old building into a break room facility for staff, as well as the volunteers and offenders.

The old mortuary building at the side of the cemetery was renovated a couple of years ago. New floors were laid, working electrics and a lick of paint. Now, the workers and volunteers have a place to shelter during their breaks.

Community volunteers at Layton Cemetery
Community volunteers at Layton Cemetery

The Community Volunteers include adults with learning disabilities. Low-level offenders from Community Payback carry out manual work to improve the local area, under the supervision of Lancashire Probation Trust.

While you’re here…

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