Friends of Reading Old Cemetery

Reading Old Cemetery spans 4.7 hectares and is owned by Reading Borough Council. After a public meeting in September 2012 about the site’s future, and a series of practical activities organised by TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) during the autumn and winter, the Friends of Reading Old Cemetery was established in the spring of 2013 to manage the site in ways that enhance its conservation value and create more habitats for wildlife.

The Friends of Reading Old Cemetery joined Econet in 2013.

Opened in 1843, the cemetery is one of Britain’s earliest ‘Garden Cemeteries’. It is designated as a Local Nature Reserve and is a key part of a wildlife corridor in East Reading. The site offers a peaceful green space amidst a densely developed urban area, providing a place for residents to visit, relax, and explore year-round.

The cemetery is home to several valuable habitats, including areas of unimproved lowland grassland. With the UK having lost over 97% of its flower-rich grasslands in the last 50 years, this site is an important remnant of that precious 3%.

Two grassland areas are managed as flower-rich meadows, left uncut for 12-16 weeks to allow wildflowers to complete their life cycle and set seed. The Friends of Reading Old Cemetery helps by raking off the cuttings once the meadows are trimmed. Additionally, Yellow Rattle is being planted in these areas, with seeds gathered from the wildflower meadow at the Museum of English Rural Life by pupils from nearby Redlands School.

The cemetery is also home to many mature trees, some of which date back to its original planting in the Victorian era by Sutton Seeds. Six of these trees are recorded on the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Tree Inventory, including a majestic weeping beech, which was voted one of Reading’s favorite trees!

Alongside meadow management, the Friends of Reading Old Cemetery helps to keep the main pathways clear and accessible, conducts regular litter picks, and creates deadwood habitat piles using materials from cuttings and fallen branches.

The Friends of Reading Old Cemetery organise tasks on the first Sunday of each month.

In addition to the monthly task, the Friends of Reading Old Cemetery host family open days, guided walks, and talks focused on the flora and fauna of the site. A large noticeboard inside the entrance provides wildlife updates, including what visitors can expect to see each month, along with other local nature information.

New volunteers are always welcome. There’s no need to commit to regular attendance – you can join tasks whenever you’re available, or even for part of a task. No experience is required, training will be provided and task leaders are always on hand to offer guidance as necessary, and tools and gloves will be supplied.

Volunteers under the age of 18 years can only participate in Econet activities if accompanied by an appropriate adult (parent, guardian, social worker, teacher, etc.) responsible for their wellbeing and behaviour.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Friends of Reading Old Cemetery, please complete our registration form or contact Teresa Verney-Brookes.

Upcoming Tasks