THE FIRST community events and activities programme has been launched following the £1.7million restoration of Coventry’s London Road Cemetery.
A variety of events will run throughout autumn and winter at the Grade I listed cemetery which was restored through work by Historic Coventry Trust.
The work has involved removing and replacing damaged stones and installing new lighting and heating.
New metal gates and a balustrade which resembles the original features have been added at the carriageway entrance and the Jewish Chapel, the 1871 mortuary room, the Bier Store and the Paxton monument have also been restored.
The centrepiece Anglican Chapel now has underfloor heating powered by an eco-friendly air-sourced heat pump.
The first event of the new programme will be ‘Immortalising Nature in stitch with Michala Gyetvai’ in the Anglican Chapel on October 4, where visitors will take inspiration from the trees in the arboretum and stitch their patterns reflecting the environment.
Then there will be a screening of Night of the Living Dead on October 28 to kick off Halloween, followed by a sensory soft play date with interactive friendly monsters on the Sunday.
Other highlights include a festive Heritage Open Day on December 17 where guests can take part in Christmas cracker making.
Historic Coventry Trust’s education and engagement manager Sarah Allen said: “The events will change as the seasons progress and this is a wonderful time of the year to start it with the rich colours of the leaves and the changes in the weather during autumn.
“We are excited about the wide range of community events and activities that we have lined up to appeal to people of all ages.
“It is a wonderful setting within the Anglican Chapel which I’m sure will inspire everyone during their arts and crafts and wellbeing sessions.”
Visit historiccoventrytrust.org.uk/whats-on/ for full details.
