VOLUNTEERS are set to delve into the past of a historic graveyard where the town’s first mayor and several war heroes are buried.

The Friends of Christ Church Graveyard has been formed in order to restore the cemetery in Padgate and research its past.

A number of notable residents are buried at Christ Church Padgate, including war heroes and the town’s first Mayor William Beamont.

Chairman Michael Bromwich said: “The friends are basically people who have got relatives buried at the graveyard or anybody else who has an interest in the church, graveyard or local area.

“One of our aims is just to improve the look of the graveyard as it’s been a little bit neglected with overgrown trees and shrubs.

“We also want to develop the history of the graveyard as there is a lot of interest in it.

“William Beamont, an ambitious guy who is the George Orwell of Warrington, is buried here and we also have the grave of Dr James Kendrick - who Kendrick Street and the Kendrick Wing at Warrington Hospital are named after.

“There are also about half a dozen war graves and we intend to do some research on them.”

William Beamont helped to found the Station Road South church, which dates back to 1838, as well as Warrington Library - the first public library in the country.

More than 20 volunteers got to work bringing the cemetery, where the solicitor and philanthropist was buried after he died in 1889, back to life on Saturday, September 16.

Michael added: “Eventually, we want to encourage youngsters to come along to enjoy a trail where they can find the different graves.

“We’re right at the start of this so we’re reaching out to the local community to find out whether they have any interesting or funny stories about people who are buried here.

“It’s probably one of the largest graveyards in the town, so we’ve got a big job on and we’re just looking for help.

"It will take time, but once improvements have been completed the graveyard will be a safer and more welcoming place to enjoy a stroll around."

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